REVIEW: Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed on Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

The very nice people at Evolve PR sent me a key for the new Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed game on Xbox, I have been a bit busy so has taken me a while to get round to playing it, but now I have I wish I hadn't waited so long.

I grew up on Ghostbusters, the originals from the 1980s that is, not the abomination from 2016 that will not be mentioned here! And from the moment you load up the game and you hear that awesome riff, and then Ray Parker Jr comes in with the classic song, you get shivers down your spine that only a true fan can get. Nostalgia aside though, there is a game to be played here, luckily, we have the original actors reprising their roles with Ernie Hudson as Winston Zeddemore and Dan Aykroyd as Raymond "Ray" Stantz, to help you along the way.

Set after the events of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, this game has a full-on plot to follow, which I won't spoil here, instead I will concentrate on the game play itself.

Mainly advertised as an online multiplayer game, you can also play solo, with CPU controlled partners and ghosts.

Raymond "Ray" Stantz and Winston Zeddemore have decided to restart the Ghostbusters, they have purchased and reopened the old HQ in New York, the iconic former firehouse. They know that they need new blood and a new generation of ghost busters, so along with Catt, a co-ordinator and assistant, and Eddy, a technological genius assigned to lab work and research, you find yourself joining as a rookie recruit.

You start off with the obligatory tutorial, that will walk you through the basics, using the P.K.E. Meter to detect paranormal activity, and of course the Proton Pack, some easy practice on fake ghosts and how to use the trap, as well as putting the captured ghosts in the containment unit, and anyone familiar with the franchise will instantly feel at home.

You can fully customise your character, and as you unlock new clothing items you can create a unique look. This is all very important as you want to look good when you start going on jobs.

The jobs are the main focus of the gain, you will select a job in the HQ, and depending on if you are playing alone or with friends online, you will soon appear at the location ready to capture the ghosts.

Early missions will have you needing to complete various tasks, all within a time limit, including calming down people at the location, collecting various ghostly objects, as well as using the P.K.E. Meter to find and close rifts which the ghosts use, to eventually finding and trapping the ghosts.

Your online buddies or AI controlled ghostbusters will also be there to help you along the way. 

The controls are easy to learn, and not at all fiddly, which has been a complaint of mine in previous Ghostbusters games.

Once you have completed some jobs and levelled up, you will be able to upgrade not only your own character's appearance etc, but also your tools of the trade, increasing the power of your proton pack and so on.

As the story progresses, you will also be able to play as a singular ghost trying to avoid being captured, this is fun, when you play as a ghost, you have all the classic ghost like abilities, including flying through walls, haunting and possessing things and people, sliming someone and so on. All a lot of fun.

I do think that the game is slightly if not completely balanced in favour of the ghost, in multiplayer mode, which can be frustrating if you are playing as the Ghostbuster. This balance is something that I think needs to be addressed. Because when playing as a Ghost the game is way too easy and all you need to do is run down the clock. When playing as a ghostbuster, it just seems way too hard to win. This balance is much better when playing solo and just with AI teammates and AI ghosts, but since this is pushed as an online multiplayer game, it seems a little unfair for the ghost-controlled character to have such an advantage.

The Good

Beautiful graphics and everything Ghostbusters related is in there. A fun game that will keep you entertained for a while.

The Bad

Desperately needs more content, which I assume they will release later as DLCs, the game needs to address the balance between human and ghosts.

Overall

This is a fun game, and the solo story is good enough to give plenty of entertainment, the multiplayer is what should keep you playing long after you finished the solo story mode, the question is will more content be released for free or will you have to pay for it? Time will tell.

For now I found Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed to be thoroughly enjoyable, and despite the issues mentioned, this is a must have game for any fan of the franchise.

I score Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed on Xbox a solid 8/10

Out Now on Xbox

https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/store/ghostbusters-spirits-unleashed/9phjc0h6hpkd

REVIEW: The Entropy Centre on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

I do enjoy a good puzzle game, so when Stubby Games sent me a copy of The Entropy Centre to review, I was rather excited.

The Entropy Centre at its core is a first person, time manipulation, puzzle game. Think Portal, but you use time instead of portals.

After a weird dream like intro sequence, which has you watch the earth get destroyed, you find yourself on a huge space station in orbit of the earth, you don't really know why you or there, or why it is seemingly deserted. Are you the last human alive? You quickly make contact with an AI called ASTRA and you find yourself a gun, but this gun is not for killing people, it is for manipulating time and moving things. ASTRA appears on a little screen on the gun, and will help you find your way to the centre of The Entropy Centre whereby you can hopefully save mankind.

This gun can reverse time within a short period of time, but only of the object you are pointing it at. So, if you find a wall that has collapsed, fire the gun at it, and time will reverse, the wall will un-collapse, and then you may be able to pass by. Need to get into a room, but there is a pressure pad that need to be activated, to unlock the door, no problem, you can use the gun to lift up a box and place it on the pad. But wait a minute, you need to activate two pads to open a second door, but you only have one box, no problem, put the box on pad 2 first, stand about for a few seconds, then put it on pad 1, now go through the door, once through, turn and activate the gun on the box and reverse time, the box will now move through time, and on pad 2 and open door 2 for you to pass through, of course door 1 then closes, but you have already gone through. And that is how a basic puzzle can be solved.

You can also see a track of where you have moved an item, to help you remember where it will go when you reverse time.

As you can imagine the puzzles quickly get harder and harder, and you will find yourself going crazy trying to think in a 4^th dimension, that being time, something we are simply not used to. The game advertises itself as "mind-bending", and perhaps that is more to do with the visuals and the story, but for me, it was very much about me trying to think in ways I am simply not used to.

There are other things you will need to do, pass by electrified areas, or areas on fire, reverse time on events, watch out for falling pillars and platforms, and quickly zap them before you get killed. Throw in some witty writing and voice overs, and you have a pretty good puzzle game here, that will challenge even the most accomplished of critical thinkers.

The game is fantastically optimised with regards to graphics, the graphics are of the highest standard, and everything moved very smooth and looked great, even on my mid-range PC. I am forever moaning at developers for not optimising games for anything but a £5000 PC, so when I see a game that looks and plays great, but doesn't need me to change the video settings to low I am very grateful.

The Good

The game starts off easy, but the learning curve is pretty steep, this game forces you to think in a way that is just not natural, and when you get the hang of things, and start doing it correctly, the feeling of accomplishment is huge! 

The graphics are fantastic, the voice acting and sound effects are all very good.

A lot of puzzles and areas to pass, and will keep you busy for a while, and if you do get stuck there are some playthroughs on YouTube to help, however even if you do use one, you won't feel a need to keep going back, as you really will want to try and solve it yourself.

The Bad

Some puzzles just broke my brain, and I had to step away, this game can get very tough if you are not a critical thinker, and there are a few moments where you won't quite know what to do, and will continually die, with no real help or direction. (This is where YouTube came in for me)

Overall

This is a very high-quality game, from top to bottom every aspect is almost perfect. The puzzles are hard but fair, you just need to figure them out.

My only gripe is the lack of a proper hint system.

I score The Entropy Centre on PC (Steam) a very strong 9/10. One of the best puzzle games out there.

Out Now on Steam
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1730590/The_Entropy_Centre/

REVIEW: From Space on PC (Steam)

Review on Jon Donnis

Developed by Triangle Studios and published by Curve Games, From Space is a brand-new solo and co-op action shooter. Play on your own, or with 3 others, and try to liberate the earth from a weird alien infestation.

Throw in over the top weapons, a post-apocalyptic world and endless missions and side missions, and you have quite an interesting game.

Playing from a top-down view, you will quickly find out the bad guys are pink, aim and shoot, you can collect new weapons, (everything from Rocket Launchers, Miniguns, Flamethrowers etc) and ammo, which are usually left conveniently around the location. Look for safe zones, speak to people, they will give you missions as they get to know you. Simple things at first, then getting tougher. Maybe you need to collect something for someone, or even escort someone from one point to another, without getting you both killed.

You also have access to defensive traps that you can use to help you. For example, a nicely placed piece of barbed wire will not only slow the onslaught, but damage them too, leaving you to be free to pick off any alien that survives. Electricity traps, mines, grenade and turrets can also be left. But use them carefully because once used they are gone, until you can collect more. The same goes with your ammo. It is not unlimited.

Keep an eye out for health packs too, nothing worse than running low on health and being unable to cure yourself as you are about to head into a next of aliens. 

In safe zones there are also save points and workbenches, the workbenches allow you to upgrade weapons. But what do you use to pay for the upgrades? Well when you kill an alien, you can collect "Energy" this is the currency of the game, luckily it can be picked up not just from killing aliens, but also destroying alien eggs and nests as well as in loot boxes.

You can choose to play as one of a number of different "Specialists", you can swap between these in the safe zones, this is worth doing so you can level up each character, and see which one suits you play style the best. Each character/specialist as their own weapon sets, as well as other abilities and perks.

At the end of each level, you will need to destroy the Energy Harvester, basically the boss fight. The more aliens and nests you destroy on the level, the easier this fight is, so sometimes it is worth taking your time and destroying everyone instead of just rushing through a level.

Basically, there is plenty to do in this game, a lot to collect and upgrade, and a decent difficulty level that will challenge even the most experienced of gamer.

The Good

Easy to pick up and play, and although frustrating at first, you soon learn to be a bit more tactical in your actions, just blasting away will just leave you vulnerable to counter attack when you run out of bullets. The side missions are fun, and allow you to further build your character, and gives the game more depth.

The graphics are clear and colourful, well animated. 

The Bad

Some of the controls are a bit confusing, the map is near to useless, and a huge bugbear of mine, is that if you open the menu to change weapons, look at the map full screen or just look at what items you have, it doesn't pause the game, meaning you could be getting attacked and you don't know. I understand you can change weapon by pressing one button on the controller as you play, but sometimes I want to see a little better what I am changing to. Also, a standard PC controller did not work for me, I had to hook up an Xbox One wired controller, which then worked fine. I also had a couple of graphical issues when I went from menu to game a few times. A hard reset fixed it.

Overall

The story is what it is, aliens invade, you have to kill them. The gameplay itself is a lot of fun, I didn't get chance to play multiplayer and I understand the game is pushed heavily towards that, but I enjoyed the solo player mode as much as you can.

There are a few bugs, and this is a new release, so expect an update every few days if not every week as they iron things out after hearing from players.

A few tweaks in the controls and menu system, and this game would improve massively.

A fun top-down action shooter, still a way to go to iron out the bugs, but not too far.

I score From Space on PC (Steam) a fair 7/10

Out now on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1502190/From_Space/

REVIEW: Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef on Xbox

Review by Jon Donnis

The lovely people at Rogueside sent me a key for Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef on Xbox, and I couldn't be happier, for I love 2D side-scrolling run & gun shooters. I grew up on them!

Let us first take a look at the synopsis

"For many centuries, the planet of Luteus Alpha has been producing much-needed material for the wars raging on in the Armageddon sector. Many are drawn to the planet, and so is the great Warboss Ogruk Gutrekka. Upon arriving on the planet, Gutrekka stole your most precious hair squig. Filled with vengeance, you've sworn to do whatever it takes to return your hair squig, and prove who's the strongest!

Fight your way through the hive city of Luteus Prime in single-player mode or as a party of up to 4 battle-hardened Orks in online or local co-op. Pick your class, grab your weapons and get ready to battle Humans, Orks and Genestealer cultists, and ultimately put an end to Warboss Gutrekka!"

Now I have to be honest here, I am not very up on Warhammer terminology or lingo, so some of the verbiage went straight over my head, but this game is full of comedy and action. So, what more could you want.

When you start the game and can choose from 4 different characters, all with their own weapons and tools, apparently true to Warhammer 40,000 lore. As you play you will collect teeth (teef)? Which you then use as currency to buy weapons and headgear.

With 20 different distinct weapons to collect, and a large variety of headgear, the only thing that could possibly stop you is wave after wave of bad guys. Which of course we get.

Gameplay is your standard 2D side scrolling stuff. You can jump and double jump, you have directional aim of your weapons using the right joystick, and control the character with the left one. You can throw bombs with the bumper button, and even fight hand to hand with the other. All of this you will quickly pick up as you play.

Each level has an end boss to beat, learn the pattern, swap through your weapons to see which one works best, and then destroy them. As you play you will come across checkpoints which also act as shops, which let you choose your load out as well as buy new items. There are also handy health collectables to keep you strong. And once you pass a level there is a nice little hand drawn cinematic to tell the story and give you a chance to breath. Finished off with a heavy metal soundtrack, composed by Deon van Heerden, and this is a really fun little game.

The Good

Easy to pick up and learn, controls are pretty straight forward, and on easy mode you will soon get the hang of things. There are lots of weapons and explosions, and everything just feels frantic, in a very good way. The graphics are all hand drawn, and look fantastic, the soundtrack is the kind of music I listen to anyway, so I turned it up nice and loud. This is one of those games that you will find hard to put down once you start playing.

The Bad

I was getting very slow load times. Not the end of the world, but for a 2D side scrolling shooter, things should be loading up much quicker.

Overall

I really enjoyed this, and dispute having no idea of the Warhammer lore or lingo, I got into quick. The graphics are really special, and that soundtrack is awesome.

If you are a fan of Warhammer or side scrollers then this is a game, you should check out.

I score Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef on Xbox a solid 8.5/10

Out Now on Xbox

https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/warhammer-40-000-shootas-blood-teef/9nts4d892smw

REVIEW: One True Hero on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

I was sent a key for One True Hero on Nintendo Switch, by Rat Cliff Games, described as quirky 3D platforming adventure, One True Hero has you take on the role of a young farmer, who is thrust into being a hero who will save the town.

The game never takes itself too seriously, and offers lots of fun interactions and light-hearted content.

A 3D platformer at its core, the game looks and plays very much like something you would have played on a Nintendo 64, so you can see where a lot of the inspiration came from.

The town is sinking, and despite your lack of reputation in the town, you seem to be the only one capable or at least willing to actually save it, this will have you completing little tasks, locating things, collecting diamond like things, fighting the evil minions (no not those minions), solving puzzles, and general 3D platforming stuff.

There are dungeons and ancient ruins to explore, and once you have collected enough of the diamond things, you will go through a portal, and then try to pass over a ridiculously hard obstacle course, to get your reward.

The game works well on the Nintendo Switch, I played on the Switch Lite and I found the controls to be decent. The camera angles can be a pain sometimes, usually when you go inside a building, you see as you move around tight areas the camera will become fixed and swap to different viewpoints, the problem is that you might be moving in on direction in one camera shot, but when it changes you are now pressing the wrong way on the controller, so sometimes it can become confusing as well as frustrating.

Luckily in the outdoor areas this isn't a problem and you can run and jump to your hearts content. Every so often your path will be blocked and you will have to engage in combat to pass. This is your typical sword slashing fight. As you progress you will gain skill points that can be spent on increasing your attacks and health.

Whether it is moving blocks to reach higher places, hanging off ledges, or jumping off buildings to reach a diamond collectable, the game offers pretty much everything you would expect from a 3D platformer.

The Good

The voice acting is all pretty good, I liked the style of humour throughout. And for what is a one man development team, the graphics are acceptable, if a bit retro in nature.

The Bad

The camera angles when in tight locations are a pain, and some of the combat isn't as good as it could be.

Overall

Considering the small budget and one-man team behind the game, I am impressed with how much is on offer here.

This is a fun little 3D platformer, with good humour and a nice little story.

I score One True Hero on Nintendo Switch a strong 7.5/10

Out Now on Nintendo Switch at

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/One-True-Hero-2278451.html