REVIEW: Gust of Wind on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

Gust of Wind is an early access game from Wrenchpunk Games, please keep that in mind, that it is not a finished game.

Gust of Wind offers a captivating story driven game set in a world dominated by mutant gulls. The game's premise is both intriguing and imaginative, as players take on the role of a stealth expert within a team of brave warriors on a vital mission.

First thing you will think of is Assassin's Creed but with mutant gulls.

Gust of Wind has a strong commitment to realism, well as real as you can get with mutant gulls, bringing back a feel of nostalgic old school stealth games. Instead of overwhelming the player with countless indicators, the game relies on the player's wits and cunning to navigate the challenges and levels.

Sneaking through dark corridors becomes an art in itself, where light plays a pivotal role. Guards possess lightness-based sight and hearing, making it both a blessing and a curse as players work their way through the shadows undetected.

For those who prefer a non-lethal approach, Gust of Wind offers various takedown methods to render enemies unconscious. Whether it's sneaking up on adversaries, jumping on their backs, or utilizing doze grenades from a distance, players can take a merciful route while ensuring they hide the bodies to avoid detection.

When stealth inevitably fails, players must resort to swift and decisive combat using bludgeoning tools scattered throughout the levels. The battles are intense and short-lived, encouraging players to think on their feet and react quickly. In open spaces, dodging and leaping out of harm's way are options, but in tighter corridors, players must rely on more effective weapons to overcome their adversaries.

The freedom of movement offered in Gust of Wind is a true highlight. The game's small yet open sandbox environments provide players with numerous routes to complete objectives. Climbing elements such as ladders, poles, and ropes allow players to stay hidden from sight or access hard-to-reach areas, while rowboats offer a swift mode of transportation across bodies of water.

In addition to the arsenal of weapons and light sources, Gust of Wind also introduces a range of ingenious gadgets. Grappling hooks and cranes provide players with alternative entry points, enhancing the sense of creativity and freedom in how players approach their missions.

The Good

Gust of Wind takes an interesting concept, and does its best to deliver something that has a feel of old school, mixed in with something weird and wonderful. Considering this is an indie game, this looks and plays pretty well already, and as it is early access, it still has a lot of improvements to be made.

The Bad

This game is poorly optimized and will make your Graphics card work overtime to keep up, and there are quite a few glitches and graphical issues.. Only about 4 hours of gameplay at the moment.

Overall

A gripping storyline, decent mechanics, and the freedom to choose your path, this game has a lot to offer.

But be aware, your computer will need to be a top spec to play it and even then, it will run hot, so be aware.

The potential is here for a good game, just needs some time and patience.

Check it out on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1715390/Gust_of_Wind/

REVIEW: Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara on Nintendo Switch

Review by Jon Donnis

Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara is a delightful Nintendo Switch platform game that takes players on an action-packed journey through the vibrant world of Mara. In this loving tribute to classic platforming adventures, you join the series favourite Koa and her trusty friend Napopo as they traverse wild islands, dodge cunning traps, and face off against formidable bosses.

One of the game's standout features is the diversity of the world it offers. With eight distinct worlds to explore, each with its own theme, traps, and bits of story, players will find themselves constantly engaged and eager to discover what lies ahead. From sandy beaches to bubbling volcanoes, the islands are charming and colourful, filled with secrets and collectibles that beckon exploration.

The gameplay is both exciting and accommodating, catering to different playstyles. Players can choose to race against the clock and aim for speed-running medals or take a more leisurely approach to soak in the beauty of each level while collecting shells, the main currency in the game. Collectibles scattered throughout the islands further add to the replay value, as they can be used alongside shells to purchase cosmetic upgrades for your character, boat, and even rebuild the city of Qälis.

Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara boasts a well-designed progression system. Unlocking the archipelago piece by piece keeps players motivated to uncover the mysteries that each island holds. The presence of memorable characters adds a layer of charm to the adventure, and helping them on their respective journeys enhances the sense of fulfilment in the game.

While the game may not bring anything groundbreaking to the genre, it compensates with its well-crafted mechanics, unique island designs, and diverse boss battles. Speaking of bosses, each island's final encounter is distinct, requiring players to adopt different strategies to defeat them. This variety ensures that players are constantly engaged and challenged as they progress through the game.

Whether you're a newcomer looking for a relaxed gaming experience or a seasoned speed runner seeking a challenge, Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara accommodates all players. With approximately six to seven hours needed for a relaxed playthrough or four to five hours for a more rushed approach, completing the main story offers a satisfying gaming experience. However, for completionists aiming for 100% achievement, the game offers plenty of additional content, ensuring hours of captivating gameplay.

The Good

Great graphics, game looks and plays great on the Nintendo Switch Lite. A nice fun little platform game.

The Bad

No double jump! How dare you! The controls can be a bit fiddly at first, and unless you are running, the movement of the character feels very slow. So, you just end up constantly holding down the button to run.

Overall

Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara is a well-made and engaging platforming adventure. With its beautiful visuals, diverse gameplay, and memorable characters, it provides a delightful gaming experience for players of all levels. Whether you're exploring the islands leisurely or seeking to conquer time trials and challenges, this buccaneering escapade is a must-play for Nintendo Switch owners.

I score Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara a strong 7.5/10

Out Now on Nintendo Switch

https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Koa-and-the-Five-Pirates-of-Mara-2409989.html

REVIEW: Miasma Chronicles on XBOX Series X/S

Review by Jon Donnis

Miasma Chronicles, a captivating tactical role-playing video game developed by The Bearded Ladies and published by 505 Games. The game is set in 2023, a post-apocalyptic version of the United States. Blending turn-based tactics with stealth game mechanics, this game immerses players in a world devastated by an enigmatic force known as the miasma, a substance that can transform or eliminate all living beings.

In the game, players embark on an epic journey alongside Elvis, a young man who was left as a baby in the care of a robotic older 'brother' in the mining town of Sedentary. His mother's departure, however, bestowed him with a mysterious glove that grants him the power to control the dangerous miasma.

The quest begins as Elvis and Diggs, the robotic caretaker, traverse the post-apocalyptic wasteland in search of answers. The secrets they seek have the potential to alter the course of human history forever, motivating them to push forward despite the dangers that lie ahead.

As players assume the role of Elvis, they'll guide him in his pursuit of his mother and his quest to understand the nature of the miasma. The game unfolds in real time, borrowing mechanics from stealth games to allow players to carefully navigate through the hazardous terrain. Players must be mindful of the enemies' field of vision, as staying undetected is crucial to survival.

Engaging in combat calls for tactical prowess, as battles are turn-based affairs. Players can even recruit additional non-player characters to bolster Elvis and Diggs' ranks. As the game progresses, characters can be further customized through skill trees, offering new abilities and bonuses, though they come with cooldowns to maintain balance.

Miasma Chronicles caters to players of varying skill levels, featuring four difficulty settings that let players adjust the challenge to their liking. Additionally, the tactical combat rules can be optionally simplified, making targeting easier and reducing the impact of random chance.

In this thrilling post-apocalyptic world, players will uncover the mysteries of the miasma and shape the fate of Elvis and the entire nation, making Miasma Chronicles an unforgettable gaming experience.

The Good

As you would expect from a game on the Xbox Series X/S the graphics are exceptional, the cut scenes and the way the camera moves between the action are beautiful to watch. 

I loved the design of the anthropomorphic frog enemies; the voice acting is of a high quality and the mix of free roaming exploration and turn based grid combat is well balanced.

There is plenty of areas to explore, never too repetitive. There are plenty of weapons to use, all unique. 

The Bad

Some of the political references and pop culture comments will leave you rolling your eyes. Some parts are ridiculously hard, and the game does have a fair few bugs, which I expect will get ironed out in future updates.

Overall

Not perfect, but a fun game that will keep you entertained for a while.

I score Miasma Chronicles on XBOX Series X/S a decent 7.5/10.

Out Now on Xbox

https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/miasma-chronicles/9N1NSTSFN5NM

REVIEW: Stray Blade on Xbox Series X/S

Review by Jon Donnis

Published by 505 Games and made by Point Blank Games, comes Stray Blade, an action role-playing video game.

Immerse yourself in an action-packed adventure and become a master of intense combat while exploring the enigmatic ruins of an ancient civilization. Legends speak of Acrea, the Lost Valley, a wild and potent place, concealed by overgrowth. You play as Farren West who stumbled upon this forgotten realm but met a tragic end. However, fate smiles upon you as you miraculously return to life, but with a cost - you are now bound to this land.

Take up the challenge to reclaim your freedom and embark on a quest to restore balance to this war-ravaged and desolate place, guided by your loyal companion, Boji. Traverse towering throne rooms once inhabited by giant god-kings and explore long-lost cities, unearthing their long-held secrets. But beware, as you delve deeper, even deadlier adversaries will cross your path. Get ready for an adventure that shapes the world, influenced by your discoveries and the raging forces at play.

Experience an unforgettable journey into the heart of Acrea and its ancient legacy. Unravel the history that transformed the tranquil valley into a battleground of strife and death. Armed with this knowledge, seek out and destroy the remnants of the past, bringing peace to the war-torn valley.

As you progress through your journey, every triumph you achieve leaves a lasting impact on the world. Time moves forward even if you fall in battle. Return to the sites of your former victories and witness the changes you've instigated in the world. But be warned, your actions will attract even greater challenges.

Engage in hyper-responsive combat, allowing you to react swiftly and execute precise attacks, enabling you to dominate battles. Strategically anticipate enemy moves and respond with split-second blade-to-blade reactions, creating a thrilling High Noon of melee weapon combat.

Confront the very God-Kings who once marred the land with their destructive legacy. Bring their reign to an end and liberate the land from the shadows of its dark past. Harness their powers to unlock the mysteries of Acrea, revealing uncharted domains waiting to be explored.

Both you, the adventurer, and your companion Boji have unique talent trees. As the fighter, you gain experience through battles, while Boji, the craftsman, increases his expertise by discovering pieces of ancient lore.

Acrea's vivid world spans from overgrown city ruins to frozen caves and winding canyons. Together with Boji, explore the deepest corners of this ever-changing realm, brimming with adventure at every turn. Each discovery holds valuable treasures, from rare materials and recipes to powerful weapons and lore pieces, all amidst stunning landscapes. Prepare yourself for an epic and unforgettable journey through Acrea's vibrant tapestry.

The Good

All the ingredients for a good action-adventure game are here, you have your classic bonfire/campsite/shrine save points, your character can do the dodge roll, you can parry attacks which became my main way of attacking, as opposed to just running in and swinging wildly. There are plenty of enemies to come up against, from regular type creature enemies, soldier camps, to mystical beings, the enemies all have different abilities so each will need different tactics from you to overcome.

You can collect resources which in turn can be used for crafting at set locations, tressure chests to find and open, different types of weapons, swords, shields, crossbows, spears etc.

The graphics are of the highest quality as you would expect on the Xbox Series X/S. Animation is very good. Your companion, Boji, gives a fun light hearted appeal. I enjoyed the cartoony feel of the world. Combat is strong, and most importantly, the game is fun to play.

Four different difficulty settings allow options for beginners and experts at this type of game, some customisation of the character (body type) is allowed. I would have liked a bit more of this.

The story is well told and interesting.

The Bad

Some gameplay elements can be a bit awkward at times, some enemies feel a bit too set in their routine.

The character's narration as you play is a bit annoying at times.

Overall

Ok perhaps not the most original of games, but it does have its own charm which is entertaining. Easy to get into, and enough content to keep you busy for a while.

I enjoyed Stray Blade. A fun action-adventure game which I score a decent 7.5/10

Out Now on Xbox at

https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/stray-blade/9p10239l64qv

REVIEW: SpaceBourne 2 on PC (Steam)

Review by Jon Donnis

Time for another review, although as this is an Early Access Game, please keep in mind that it is not the finished article by quite a way.

SpaceBourne 2 is an "Open-world space simulator with RPG elements", the moment you start to play, you realise that this is a huge game with a lot of scope.

The game feels big, which is surprising considering it is an Indie game made by what I believe is a solo developer, so a huge task to take on for one person.

Let's take a look at the official blurb for the game.

"A single-player, open-universe RPG and third-person shooter game with an abundance of features, including role-playing, mining, trading, piracy, crafting, and deep exploration. The story picks up where it left off in SpaceBourne, but now the player's goal is to build a new empire in the galaxy, with the methods of doing so being completely up to the player.

In SpaceBourne 2, players are offered tens of thousands of diverse solar systems to explore. Each system has a unique structure, featuring different planets with varied surfaces and areas to discover. The locations, from the solar systems to the planets, are procedurally generated, ensuring that each system and planet is unique and has numerous points to explore.

SpaceBourne 2 boasts massive planetary surfaces, each with its own structure, climate, and gravity, as well as cities, villages, caves, outposts, and secrets to interact with. With tens of thousands of different planets available, players are given an unparalleled number of opportunities for exploration throughout the galaxy"

Straight away you will notice a problem with the game, that being it is too big, there is too much to do. Now usually that isn't necessarily a bad thing, but when a game is made by such a small studio with limited budget and resources, it leaves the game struggling to do everything right.

With that said, certain parts of the game have really high-quality graphics, in the ship, in space etc, everything looks great. There are some issues on planet surfaces, but they will be improved as the game is further developed.

The game looks decent, it plays ok, there are a lot of improvements that can and I am sure will be made, but for an early access game, it is impressive.

There some issues with the interface, sometimes can feel a bit too busy, a few bugs here and there, but are being fixed as quickly as possible.

Considering the price point of this (£16.75), it might feel a little expensive at first, but when you consider there are certain games that cost twice the price, are supposedly the finished article, but are nowhere near as playable as this, then you have to be impressed.

Some of the scaling/balancing feels a bit off, general economy-based things, or upgrading/levelling up the ship, there is a long way to go to fix everything, but for a start there is plenty to do, and although you might find yourself frustrated here and there, I would say the game is worth sticking at for now.

The Good

Considering this is made by a solo developer, everything looks great. The scale of the game feels huge, and although some planets are a bit scarce, over time these can easily be improved. Remember guys this is an early access game, so a finished article could be years away.

The Bad

There are plenty of bugs in the game, the balancing is off on many aspects, some issues exist with firing.

Overall

As this is early access, I won't give it a score, as that would be unfair, but if you are a fan of the genre, then really this is a game you should invest it, not just by purchasing it, but by getting involved in the community, watching the game grow, and helping point out any bugs.

This is a HUGE game, with unlimited potential. The fact that there is only one guy making this amazes me.

Definitely worth checking out at

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1646850/SpaceBourne_2/