REVIEW: Clockwork Aquario on Nintendo Switch

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

There are not many games that you can really call "lost" but Clockwork Aquario truly is one.

30 years ago, Clockwork Aquario was being developed for the Arcade and specifically for the Sega System 18 Arcade System Board.

This was the pre-cursor to the Sega Megadrive. If you have played the original Super Mario Bros. or Wonder Boy 3 then you will instantly feel at home playing Clockwork Aquario.

Here is what Ryuichi Nishizawa (chief publisher, and co-founder of Westone) has to say about the release.
"In the 90s, when game centers were dominated by fighting games, there was one title which had never been released, even though it was completed after more than two years of development and repeated changes. This title is Clockwork Aquario. Who would have thought that it would be restored and playable again? I would like to express my heartfelt respect and gratitude to those who have worked so hard to restore it. I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that this work is a great piece of 2D art, where the pixel artists of that time put their hearts and souls into. I'd be happy if people would appreciate and enjoy it." –

Clockwork Aquario is a classic 2D side scrolling action platform game. Large on-screen characters, fantastic pixel graphics, great animation, this game really does take me back to the early 90s and going into an arcade and putting my 10p coins in a machine.

When you first start up the game, you can choose from a difficulty level, which translates to how many lives your character will have.

You can play as one of three characters, Huck Londo, Elle Moon, or a giant robot called Gush.

Played over 5 levels, your ultimate aim is to stop the evil Dr. Hangyo. Gameplay consists of the usual platform elements as well as punching enemies, or picking up and throwing them. You will face off against the usual mini bosses, who are controlling large machines. Watch what they do, how they move, and you will soon figure out how to beat them.

You can pick up health potions that bring you back to full health, gems that will eventually give you an extra life, and stars that make you invulnerable for a short period, that also allows you to shoot out Triple Stars as a weapon.

As this is an arcade game, it is relatively short, but the extra difficulty settings as well as unlocking new modes after completion, including a mini game. This does give a replay-ability factor to the game.

The Good

A proper old school arcade game, that perhaps the younger gamer won't appreciate. Easy to play, tough to finish.

The Bad

A short game, which when played on a Nintendo Switch Lite looks a bit "busy" on screen, and would definitely look better on a larger screen.

Overall

A nostalgic feeling game, that will give plenty of enjoyment.

I score Clockwork Aquario on Nintendo Switch a decent 7.5/10

NEWS: The First Tree - Limited boxed editions available for pre-order

Strictly Limited Games has announced that beloved indie title The First Tree will be available in a very special boxed release. 

Let yourself be guided through an emotional story through beautiful atmospheric gameplay and uncover the interconnection between dream and reality.

The First Tree will be available for Nintendo Switch, as a Limited Edition and Special Limited Edition, with pre-orders launching on Sunday, 5th of December at 12 AM CET (midnight), only at Strictly Limited Games.

About the game:

In The First Tree, a narrator guides you through his dream. What starts as a mother fox's search for her lost cubs evolves into the narrator's memories of his own story and you experience two emotional stories interconnecting. The further the game progresses, the more is revealed. And all the more it becomes clear that the lost cubs symbolize another tragedy in the narrator's life. Besides the strong story, the game offers many other features that make it a very special experience:

Roam through different, uniquely designed landscapes

Accompanied by amazing atmospheric music and sound design

Beautiful 3D artstyle

Captivating yet relaxing gameplay

An emotional journey with a valuable message

Strictly Limited Editions coming with amazing extras

To celebrate this special Indie gem, Strictly Limited Games offers two unique limited editions of The First Tree in their Online Shop for pre-order.

The Limited Edition for Nintendo Switch will be limited to 2,200 copies, at a price of 29,99€, including a colorful manual of the game.

The Special Limited Edition will be limited to 1,800 copies for Nintendo Switch, for 49,99€, including lots of additional physical collectibles:

Game for Nintendo Switch with reversible artwork cover

Beautiful Special Limited-Edition box

The First Tree Acrylic Standee

Original soundtrack on CD

Reversible artwork poster (DIN A3)

Set of 6 Art Prints (A6) with gorgeous game artwork

Notepad

The First Tree sticker (7,4 cm x 7,4 cm)

Colored game manual

Special edition contents

Besides the boxed editions, there will be a beautiful aluminium art card with the game's artwork available for €9,99 - limited to 99 copies.

REVIEW: Destropolis on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

Destropolis is one of those rare finds, you start playing, thinking it will just be one of your run of the mill top-down shooters, and instead it is an awesome, nonstop punch in the face of awesomeness!

The main idea of the game is simple, you control a blue diamond shape cube, that can also fire weapons, you are surrounded by a fully destructible environment, and wave after way of red cuboid enemies. And that is it.

After reaching a score threshold, you pass the level, the game pauses and you can choose from upgrades, that may be an increase of your help, weapon cool down time, increase rate of drops and so on.

As you play you can collect up to 15 different weapons designated in a blue light, you pick up by pressing A on the controller, you can hold 2 weapons at a time and switch between them.

You will also be able to collect different power ups. From speed ups, to bullet time (which slows down time, giving you more time to think), to my favourite the NUKE! Which is exactly what you think it is. Airstrikes, Vortexes and so on.

Eventually and perhaps inevitably, you will be overwhelmed, and you will die. But then you just restart, and off you go again.

Played from an isometric/top-down view, with 6 main types of cube like enemies,

"Obelisks shoot lasers at you. Bomb spheres explode on contact. Pyramids shoot at you from a distance with artillery rounds. Wrecking balls smash everything on their path. Big, hexagonal bosses wreak havoc with their massive machine guns."

Although a minimalist type structure to the game, it gets hectic very very quick. Throw in some synth-wave music by LukHash, and you have a true diamond in the rough when it comes to top-down shooters.

The Good

The minimalist approach to the graphics, just works, and actually looks beautiful. Each time you play, you will be a bit better, and find yourself slowly climbing up the leader boards.

The Bad

Maybe some different areas to play in would be a nice addition to the game.

Overall

Destropolis was supposed to be a quick throw away type game, one I would play for ten minutes, get bored and forget about, instead it has entered my psyche and I absolutely love it.

A real surprise find, and one I really recommend.

Awesome game I score a strong 9/10

Review by Jon Donnis

Out now on Steam - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1316800/Destropolis/

REVIEW: Night Lights on Nintendo Switch

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

I seem to be playing and reviewing a lot of innovative puzzle / platform games recently, and Night Lights from Ratalaika Games & Meridian4 is another platform game that you can firmly put in that "innovative" category.

You play as a tiny robot, your planet has been plunged into darkness, your job is to collect shards that will help resurrect a fallen star and restore light to the planet.

Night Lights' main mechanic is that of using light to manipulate the environment, mainly through the movement or activation of lamps. So, for example you need to get to an area that is blocked off, move a light source so that it lights up the area and a route will open up for you. Shadows and Lights have distinct effects on the environment, so you have to use both as a way to solve the puzzles of the level. You will also collect crystals that will activate various machines, tools and light sources.

There are 45 levels in total, which increase in difficulty, as you would expect.

The graphics are simple, but beautiful, and really put across the difference between the light and dark areas.

Gameplay is pretty straight forward once you understand the mechanics of the game, and although there isn't much help, or anything to guide you along if you get stuck, the puzzles are pretty straightforward, even if they take some thinking.

The Good

Really nice, simple graphics and engaging gameplay that never feels too hard, but still gives a challenge for any fan of the puzzle / platformer.

Just 91 mb download too which is great.

The Bad

I am not keen on the level select menu, it is a bit confusing as it uses stars in the sky, instead of a simple system of "Level 1, 2, 3, 4" etc.

Overall

An innovative concept, fun gameplay, and looks and plays great on a Nintendo Switch Lite.

I score Night Lights on Nintendo Switch a solid 8/10

Night Lights is out now on all formats and is priced for 4.99$ / € for all platforms.

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Night-Lights-2076086.html

Review by GamingCouchPotato.co.uk Staff

REVIEW: Minimalism on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

Imagine a game that is less than 10mb to download in 2021, it can't exist surely?

Well, it does, and it is called Minimalism, and that truly is the perfect name for this game. At its base it is a platformer. 30 levels which get harder and harder.

You control a square, and your job is to collect keys and reach the end point of the level which is a door. Sounds easy right? But it is anything but easy.

The levels are maze like, with spikes to avoid, walls to bounce up, or slide down, there are weird letter things to collect as well, (giving lots of achievements), and that's it.

For what sounds like a very simple and boring game, it is in fact incredibly addictive, and not at all simple.

The Good

A game like this proves that graphics really aren't the most important thing in a game, instead it is the gameplay, and this has that in spades.

The Bad

The music is a bit "meh"

Overall

A surprisingly addictive, fun platformer, that is very challenging, if a tad frustrating at times.

For just 39p currently on Steam, this game really is value for money. 

I score Minimalism a truly impressive 9/10

Out Now on Steam at

https://store.steampowered.com/app/585690/Minimalism/

Review by Jon Donnis