REVIEW: Papertris on PC (Steam)

With the announcement that Papertris is coming to Nintendo Switch on March 30th 2023, I thought I would re-up my original PC review.

Review by Jon Donnis

As soon as you put "tris" in the title of your game, you know you are most likely going to be playing a block falling puzzle game, and let's be honest here, there are literally thousands of such games, so does Papertris stand out in a crowded field? Let's find out.

The first thing you notice with Papertris, and this might be given away in the name but everything has the appearance of being made of paper. What at first glimpse looks like a simple Tetris clone, quickly proves to be much more. Groups of 3 vertically stacked coloured cube blocks drop from the top of the screen, you decide where to place your cubes as they slowly fall, the aim being to match up the colours to three or more. Throw in "power cubes" and a few other special types of cubes and things seem pretty straightforward, that is until you start to progress through the various levels. 

The part that makes this game different, outside of the paper graphics is that there can be layers to the playing area, meaning that you can match cubes on your current layer, with those on a layer behind, bringing a whole new type of difficulty to finishing the levels.

The main mode you will play is the Challenge mode, whereby each level has a different challenge, usually involving the matching of a certain number of coloured cubes. The further you progress the harder the challenges you have to complete.

Endless mode is exactly what you would expect, you just play until you eventually run out of space and reach the top of the playing area.

There is a 2-player mode, which I was unable to test, but it revolves around matching cubes, and sending cubes to your opponent's screen to block them and so on.

With the nature of such a game, there is an ever more popular colour-blind mode included, as well as a dark mode.

There is clearly a lot of love been put into this game, and the graphics look fantastic, and although the gameplay isn't exactly original, it is all presented well, and offers a decent challenge to any puzzle fan.

The Good

Fantastic graphics, great soundtrack, fun and simple gameplay.

The Bad

With the dropping cube blocks only in one shape, a vertical stack of 3, it limits slightly the potential, which would offer a whole extra level of difficulty.

Overall

A simple and fun puzzle game, that although the basic mechanics we have seen before, it is presented in a new and original format.

An enjoyable game, which I score a solid 8/10

Review by Jon Donnis

Coming to Nintendo Switch on 30th March - https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Papertris-2330669.html

Out Now on PC Steam - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1633640/Papertris/

NEWS: New release "Mystic Gate" from ZOO Corporation

 

"Mystic Gate" coming to Nintendo Switch on March 9, 2023

Also available on Steam now! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2088750/Mystic_Gate/

Story:

A mysterious gate has opened on earth. It is said that those willing to challenge themselves through the tests of the gate will be rewarded with a granted wish.

A mere mortal and his robot companion discover this gate of the gods on their journey together.

This wanderer and his robot friend step up to the challenge, how will they fare against the trials of the gods?!

"Mystic Gate" is a Action-Roguelike Dungeon Exploration Bullet Hell Shooter:

This roguelike dungeon exploration bullet hell puts your reflexes to the test in random dungeons that keep you guessing!

Dodge, dart and defeat hordes of enemies through procedurally generated dungeons. Collect unique loot as you better your odds of surviving each playthrough with rare items to power-up your character for the next run!

Hordes and powerful bosses look to make your life a living (bullet) hell. Level up and loot where you can in order to make it to the end! Achieve greatness against all odds and grant that elusive final wish!

Features:

- Procedurally Generated Dungeons

With changing dungeon layouts, randomly positioned enemies and loot players get a unique & intense experience that窶冱 never the same twice!

- Unique Weapons

Randomized unique weapons that appear in different places through your run-through. Feeling lucky?

- Unlimited bullets

You got an itchy trigger finger? NO PROBLEM!

- Dash

Stuff gets intense~ You are going to need to dash to dodge enemy attacks! This is an bullet hell game.

- Skills to Strengthen Your Character

Skills appear at random every time! Feeling lucky?

- Permanent Enhancement Elements

You can acquire skills permanently by using rare items obtained in game.

Beef up your character in order to make it to the final boss!

- Supports local cooperative play

Local co-op play is supported two players.

Join forces and take on the trial with a friend!

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Mystic-Gate-2352762.html

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2088750/Mystic_Gate/

REVIEW: WBSC eBASEBALL™: POWER PROS on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

We are back again with our latest review, this time a Baseball/Softball game for Nintendo Switch called WBSC eBASEBALL™: POWER PROS.

Originally a Japan only release, eBaseball has now had a worldwide release.

This is the official baseball game of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), no I had never heard of that organisation either, but since Baseball is huge in Japan, I will assume this is their version of the MLB.

Here is the official blurb.

"Create your own team from over 300 original characters!

With over 300 characters to choose from, players can assemble their team of batters, catchers, and pitchers to compete in online matches against rivals from all over the world. Mix and match different players with different stats to find the winning formula!

Once you've got your team, test your skills against the world!

Once you've assembled your team of sluggers compete online in matches with friends or online competitions like Championship Mode with rivals from all over the world."

Baseball games tend to follow two trends, very good, or very bad, the very bad are usually over complicated, and the very good are nice and simple, luckily eBaseball is the latter. This is a very Nintendo of Japan feeling game, the characters, the graphics and so on. Everything is very cutesy. It costs just 79p in the UK, so it will hardly break the bank.

 

The most important factor of games like this is ease of play, and as soon as you figure out the pretty simple controls, you will be hitting home runs with ease. Fielding is usually the worst part of such a game, but here they have also made it pretty simple, you can make epic catches, but also throwing the ball is pretty simple, just press the button that corresponds with the plate you want to throw to and job done.

Batting has two systems, an accurate hit, which means you will hit the ball much harder, but is easier to miss, and a less accurate/ less powerful mode, but easier to hit. Soon enough you will be switching between these depending on the pitcher.

The game really is pretty simple to pick up and play, it has the usual online modes, including local multiplayer, and a single player mode.

There really isn't much more to say, this is a simple, fun baseball game, if you like arcade style baseball games, then this is a no brainer, especially for under a pound. If you prefer full on sim then this will be a bit too basic for you.

The Good

Fun graphics, decent sound effects and music. Easy to pick up and play.

The Bad

Might be a bit simple for some gamers.

Overall

A fun little arcade baseball game. 

I score WBSC eBASEBALL™: POWER PROS on Nintendo Switch a fantastic 8/10. 

Out Now for just 79p at

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/WBSC-eBASEBALL-POWER-PROS-2340249.html

REVIEW: Rooftop Renegade on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

Rooftop Renegade is an awesome new action platform game that concentrates more on speed and flow than deliberate precision moves. You can run and use your hover blades, and your main objective is to reach the end of the level as fast as you can, as well as collecting as many diamonds as you can. The better performance you do the higher score you will get.

Run and glide your way through various futuristic areas, on skyscrapers and gliding on bars. You also have a few special moves you can do, boost and slide, which will help you make epic jumps, as well as slide under the various hazards and traps set by Globacorp, who are constantly trying to stop you.

With this game being about speed, split second thinking is needed here, one mistake and you will lose your flow, or get caught by Globacorp.

There are a few modes to play, Arcade mode, which has you working your way through various levels and stages, which as you would expect gradually get harder and more challenging. Then there is a generator mode, which remixes levels in new ways depending on what you enter in the seed box. Just type a random number for example and see what kind of level it creates.

There is also a party mode, which I could not try out, but is your basic multiplayer mode with "Runners vs Gunners". 3 people against 1 runner.

That is the basic game, so how does it play? Well from the very start the game feels very intuitive, your very first run might not be the quickest, but you will soon get a feel for the game, and you will want to replay levels to get that top "S" score. I played on a Nintendo Switch Lite, and the game felt comfortable to play on the smaller screen as well as with the Switch Light button layout, which I know can sometimes be a problem with some games.

The graphics are of a high quality, the sound effects and music are also decent.

This is a fun little arcade game, that you can sit down and play through the levels for a while, or just pick up and play for a few minutes. And the generator level has an almost unlimited amount of "remixes" for you to play if you complete the arcade mode.

The Good

Great graphics, easy to play, challenging to master. A really fun little arcade platformer.

The Bad

Nothing really, it does exactly what it is advertised to do.

Overall

This is one of those games you will have on your Switch for years to come, and every so often, even after completing it, you will load it up for a quick go, it has good replay qualities, and is a really cool game.

I score Rooftop Renegade on Nintendo Switch a solid 9/10

Out Now on Nintendo Switch at

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Rooftop-Renegade-2331525.html

REVIEW: The Legend of Gwen - Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

Back again with our latest review, this time for The Legend of Gwen on Nintendo Switch, no this is not a game about the wife of the late Derek Acorah, but instead a game about a young Witch who is a newcomer to a wizardry school. She wants to become the best witch in the world.

"To her bad luck, her arrival came at a bad time because just when she arrived she couldn't have a welcome party because there was a surprise guest... "The Evil One!"

"Evil" didn't hesitate twice and began to absorb everything she could from the school! Now who will teach Gwen about sorcery! Will she be able to learn on her own? Will she be able to overcome the obstacles of "The Evil One" and get the school back? Help Gwen with this challenge and defeat "The Evil One" (if you can ....)."

At its base this is a hardcore platform game, and when I say hardcore, i mean it, as this game is tough, really tough, from the very first level it is tough, this is a precision platformer, with something of a fixed camera for a 3D environment.

As you play through the early levels you will gain a few new moves, jump, dash, and magic spell. And then after you have died countless times, and eventually got through a few levels, you then get the option to switch the camera angle 90 degrees, which then makes things so much easier. As now you can line up your jumps much better.

The learning curve on this game is way off, and unfortunately this means a lot of gamers will be put off almost from the first moment. However if you stick with it, there is a good and challenging game here. Yes there are plenty of problems other than what I have mentioned, the level select for example, is you walking around an open area, but as you move, you do not have the abilities you have within an actual level, it just feels wrong, not to mention the very slow pace of the character, the inertia of the character also feels way too heavy. 

The Good

A pretty game with well thought out and challenging levels.

The Bad

A 2D platformer in a 3D world, with a somewhat fixed camera is so hard to get used to. Steep learning curve will also put people off.

Overall

There is a very good game here, it is just hidden behind some terrible developer choices, get past the early problems, stick with it, and you will enjoy the game. But it really takes too much effort from the gamer to get there.

I score The Legend of Gwen on Nintendo Switch a disappointing 6/10. Sadly I think it is too late to fix the issues that will mean this game never reaches an audience that will appreciate it.