REVIEW: Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (2024 Video Game) - On Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

"Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes" marks a triumphant return to the classic JRPG genre, delivering a captivating experience that seamlessly blends nostalgic charm with innovative gameplay mechanics. Developed by Rabbit and Bear Studios and published by 505 Games, this title immerses players in the sprawling continent of Allraan, where political intrigue, magic, and war intertwine to shape a richly crafted narrative.

The story of "Eiyuden Chronicle" unfolds against the backdrop of a diverse world populated by humans, beastmen, elves, and desert dwellers. The discovery of rune-lenses, magical artifacts that amplify power, has led to the rise of the Galdean Empire, whose relentless pursuit of dominance threatens to plunge the land into chaos. Players embark on an epic journey as Seign Kesling, a promising imperial officer, and Nowa, a humble villager, whose fateful encounter sets them on a path fraught with peril and discovery. The narrative deftly explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the consequences of power, inviting players to unravel the mysteries of Allraan while forging their own destinies.

One of the game's standout features is its expansive cast of over 100 unique characters, each with their own distinct personalities and backstories. From battle-hardened warriors to enigmatic mages, every ally brings depth to the adventure, enriching the player's experience as they traverse the world of Allraan. The high-quality 2.5D graphics breathe life into vibrant towns, lush landscapes, and dynamic battlefields, while the stirring soundtrack enhances the immersive atmosphere of exploration and discovery.

At the core of "Eiyuden Chronicle" lies its strategic turn-based combat system, which demands mastery over tactics and resource management. Players must carefully position their party members, form alliances, and adapt to changing terrain to emerge victorious in battle. The inclusion of combo attacks and rune customization adds depth to the gameplay, allowing for dynamic strategies and satisfying encounters.

Party customization is taken to new heights, empowering players to meticulously craft their lineup to suit their tactical preferences. The town upgrading system adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, rewarding players with new enhancements and mini-games as they progress through the story. From engaging in Beigoma battles to honing culinary skills in cooking challenges, the game offers a variety of mini-games that provide entertainment and rewards beyond the main adventure.

While "Eiyuden Chronicle" excels in many areas, it is not without its flaws. Slow traversal, an empty world map, and tedious dungeons detract from the overall experience, making exploration more cumbersome than it should be. Additionally, some players may find the storyline, characters, and mini-games to be relatively simplistic, with a significant amount of micromanagement required to progress.

Overall, "Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes" is a testament to the enduring appeal of classic JRPGs, offering a compelling tale, excellent characterization, and engaging gameplay. Despite its flaws, the game stands as a worthy successor to beloved titles of the past, earning a solid 8 out of 10. Fans of the genre will find much to love in this epic adventure across the land of Allraan.

Out Now on Xbox, PS5 and Switch

https://amzn.to/4baxQKx

REVIEW: Paperman: Adventure Delivered (2024 Video Game) - Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

"Paperman: Adventure Delivered" is a charming 3D co-op platformer that follows the journey of Paperman and his team as they embark on a quest to retrieve stolen mail and defeat a greedy dragon. With colorful worlds to explore, secrets to uncover, and golden letters to collect, players are in for an exciting adventure filled with fun and challenges.

In celebration of their one millionth delivery, Paperman's post office decides to send out special golden letters to their most loyal customers. However, when a greedy dragon steals all the mail, including the golden letters, Paperman and his team must embark on an adventure to retrieve them. With the dragon's ancient magic threatening their mission, Paperman and his team must do everything in their power to reclaim the stolen mail and ensure it's delivered.

Players can take control of four unique mail carriers, each with their own special abilities. Paperman can throw letters as projectiles and teleport short distances, Express is the fastest character and handles urgent deliveries, Scrolly can glide smoothly through the air with his trusty feather, and Carl is the strongest, delivering the heaviest parcels with care.

The game features three distinct worlds to explore: the tropical Manyfaced Island, the desert Valley of Sand with its pyramids, and the challenging Winding Peak, which tests players' parkour skills. Each world is filled with hidden golden letters and optional collectibles, encouraging players to explore every corner.

"Paperman: Adventure Delivered" supports local split-screen multiplayer for up to four players, allowing friends to join forces and help each other on this co-op adventure.

The game's visuals are charming and the gameplay is fun, but it's held back by some buggy behavior, particularly with controls and camera angles. Controls can be unintuitive and need improvement for a smoother user experience. Additionally, slow respawn and character swapping can lead to frustration. Poor camera angles, especially in caves, make it difficult to see what you're doing.

Overall, "Paperman: Adventure Delivered" is a promising 3D platformer with a lot of potential. With some improvements and updates, it has the potential to be even better. I score "Paperman: Adventure Delivered" an honest 6.5 out of 10, with room for improvement.

Out Now at https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/paperman-adventure-delivered/9NX07LBJ93XS

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REVIEW: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants on Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

Bringing back the golden era of arcade gaming, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants is a delightful blast from the past. Originally released in arcades in 2017, this beat 'em up classic has made its way to Xbox, promising fans the ultimate TMNT gaming experience. Developed by Cradle Games and Raw Thrills, and boasting the original voice actors from the TV show, this game is a nostalgic treat for fans of the franchise.

True to the essence of classic side-scrolling beat 'em ups, TMNT: Wrath of the Mutants keeps the gameplay simple and engaging. Players battle their way through six stages, including iconic locations like Dimension X and Coney Island. The addition of 13 boss battles, including encounters with the notorious Shredder in his own lair, ensures that the gameplay remains dynamic and challenging.

One of the highlights of the game is the ability to unleash each turtle's unique super attack, wiping out waves of enemies with devastating force. Moreover, players can summon mutant support by collecting special items, adding an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay. The inclusion of four-player local co-op enhances the experience, allowing friends to team up and take down enemies together.

TMNT: Wrath of the Mutants impresses with its vibrant and detailed graphics, bringing the world of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to life. From the colorful streets of New York to the dark depths of Shredder's lair, each environment is beautifully rendered, immersing players in the action-packed world of the game.

The game's sound design is equally impressive, with the original voice actors from the show reprising their roles. Seth Green, Sean Astin, Rob Paulsen, and Greg Cipes breathe life into the beloved characters, adding authenticity to the gaming experience.

Pros:

Simple controls make the game easy to pick up and play.

Great graphics capture the essence of the TMNT universe.

Nostalgic arcade experience with six stages and 13 boss battles.

Four-player local co-op adds to the fun and excitement.

Cons:

Some players may find the simplistic nature of the game lacking in complexity.

Limited story may leave some players wanting more narrative depth.

Summary:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, offering fans of the franchise a classic arcade experience. With its simple yet engaging gameplay, vibrant graphics, and four-player local co-op, the game is a must-have for TMNT enthusiasts. While its simplistic nature may not appeal to everyone, those looking for a fun and entertaining beat 'em up will find plenty to love here.

Score: 8.5/10

From the days of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time to now, the TMNT games have been a staple in the beat 'em up genre. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade: Wrath of the Mutants continues this tradition with style and flair, making it a worthy addition to any gamer's collection.

Released on 23^rd April - Get now from Amazon at https://amzn.to/446YfGW

Also available on Steam at a great price from CDKeys at cdkeys.pxf.io/andDWW

REVIEW: AVOPUG SHOW (2024 Video Game) - On PC (Steam)

By Jon Donnis

Avopug Show attempts to break free from the conventions of typical arcade racing games, offering a refreshing and innovative experience that challenges players in unexpected ways. Developed by solo indie game maker "Marakesch," this game is a testament to creativity and dedication.

The game introduces a novel concept where players navigate through tracks that constantly reveal themselves, adding an element of uncertainty and excitement to each race. With tracks spanning diverse environments, from the clouds to outer space and even vintage cartoons, Avopug Show keeps the experience fresh and engaging. You will collect a few different kinds of power ups, including a shield and speed ups. Watch out for obstacles as you do have a health limit you need to keep an eye on.

One of the highlights of Avopug Show is its striking graphics, which contribute to the immersive experience. The attention to detail in the environments and track designs is commendable, adding to the game's overall appeal. I also really enjoyed the soundtrack, which has  a good selection of different songs, all decent and enjoyable.

However, Avopug Show isn't without its flaws. Some players may find the initial vehicle controls challenging to master, although with perseverance, it becomes more manageable. Additionally, the field of view used in the game may trigger motion sickness in some players, limiting their playtime. I suffer with motion sickness with some games, going back to the days of Mario Kart on the SNES. I am not sure what it is exactly in some racing games that sets me off, but if you suffer with this too, then be aware you may only manage 20 minutes at most before you start to feel it.

In summary, Avopug Show is a commendable indie arcade racing game that dares to break away from the norm. While it may not be perfect, its ambition to offer something new and different in a crowded market deserves recognition. With its mix of innovation, challenge, and charm, Avopug Show earns a solid score of 7 out of 10.

Out Now on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2141250/AVOPUG_SHOW/