Early Access Previews
The tower defense sections of the Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing series by NeocoreGames might not have been the main focus of the games, but they were certainly a lot of fun. Deathtrap however reverses the formula by making the tower defense the main focus of the game and then layering on all kinds of action RPG goodness to make it even better. The end result is a highly addictive title with plenty of depth that will keep fans of both genres hooked
Early Access Previews
With Master Reboot already under their belt Wales Interactive knows a thing or two about first person science fiction adventures. They also have a penchant for the mysterious as demonstrated by their latest title, Soul Axiom. The game appears to be a spiritual successor to Master Reboot as it also explores the theme of souls uploaded to a massive server where memories are stored for all eternity. This time though the server is called Elysia and you have to figure out the identity of your character and what their story is
PC Game Reviews
This War of Mine takes on a serious subject and manages to turn it into a great game without compromising the core message. War is hell and trying to survive it as a non-combatant is something that nobody should ever have to experience in real life. The game offers a glimpse into the trials and tribulations faced by ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. It is a dark experience that will probably not appeal to everyone, but once it sucks you into its bleak world it can be hard to leave until you have done all you could to save the people placed under your guidance.
Gameplay: Simple to control, but hard to master, this game will challenge you in more ways than one.
Graphics: The unique art style perfectly captures the bleak reality of being trapped in a hostile environment.
Sound: Fitting audio and outstanding sound effects
PC Game Reviews
With a game such as The Old City: Leviathan where the story is such an important focus it can be hard to explain why it is worth experiencing without spoiling any surprises. The visuals are certainly very pretty and the audio very good, but by the developers own admission, everything is secondary to the story. The lack of interaction with the gameworld means that some players will dismiss this title as a “walking simulator”, but anyone that can appreciate the immersive experience instead of trying to compare it to something else will find a lot to love about it.
Gameplay: Plenty of exploring to do, but the focus is squarely on the intriguing story.
Graphics: The Unreal engine is put to good use to display some detailed environments.
Sound: Quality voice acting and a haunting soundtrack that matches the melancholic atmosphere of the game
Previews
As if creating one of the most maddeningly entertaining surgical “simulation” titles we’ve ever played wasn’t enough, the fine folks over at Bossa Studios have now turned their attention to bread. According to the developers, I Am Bread is “the beautiful story of one slice of bread’s epic and emotional journey as it embarks upon a quest to become toasted.” Apparently this will involve traversing the perils of a kitchen, lounge, bedroom and bathroom as a moving slice of bread
PC Game Reviews
While Chariot might look like a typical platform title, the added challenge of lugging a coffin on wheels around with you everywhere makes a big difference to how it plays. Making the experience even more entertaining is the inclusion of the local co-op mode where teamwork is required to escort the dead king to his final resting place. Thanks to its quirky gameplay and solid challenge it’s hard to beat Chariot, but you had better make sure that you have a controller ready.
Gameplay: Great in single player and even better when played with a friend helping out.
Graphics: Very polished and the cartoon style visuals are quite charming.
Sound: Nice tunes and great voice acting
PC Game Reviews
If you are not a fan of the genre then Melissa K. And The Heart of Gold is probably not going to change your mind, but it has plenty to offer those that do enjoy these type of games. Considering its mobile origins the visuals are actually pretty good and the gameplay is diverse enough that you are not only spending your time scouring screens for hidden objects. The story didn’t have us complete hooked, but as a whole we can recommend this title to anyone that enjoys a polished casual gaming experience with plenty of replay value and extras.
Gameplay: A nice blend of adventuring, puzzle solving and hidden object scenes.
Graphics: Very detailed and featuring some exotic locations.
Sound: Good music, nice sound effects and solid voice acting overall
Previews
As the protagonist of The Old City: Leviathan kept addressing his claustrophobic surroundings as if it was a living entity I was convinced that he was mad. Not that I could blame him really. Described as a “sewer dwelling isolationist” who is making his way through the bleak environments of a decaying city, it is hard not to feel sorry for the nameless protagonist. You might view the world through his eyes and direct his movement, but you are certainly not playing “as” him. I was intrigued by his musings, but certain that he was mad, until the city answered
PC Game Reviews
I did not know what to expect when I entered the world of Master Reboot and the game delighted in surprising me around every turn. The way that the gameplay shifts depending on what memories you are reliving makes for a memorable experience and the creepy atmosphere will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you want to experience a game that is quite unlike anything else, do yourself a favor and check out Master Reboot.
Gameplay: Each memory offers new surprises and ways to play.
Graphics: The art style is very unique and features some breathtaking environments.
Sound: The audio compliments the atmosphere of the game nicely
PC Game Reviews
Ask fans of the genre to name some of their favorite classic point & click adventure titles from the nineties and you can be sure that the name Gabriel Knight will crop up. Thanks to the dark and mature nature of the game it is perhaps not as well-known as the family friendly Lucasarts titles, but offered an experience that was memorable to say the least. From the voodoo steeped setting of New Orleans to the cast of memorable characters and enthralling storyline, Gabriel Knight was, no make that IS, a bona fide classic.
Gameplay: A great version of a classic game.
Graphics: Not perfect, especially the animations, but very good overall.
Sound: The new voices take a while to get used to, but the soundtrack is superlative
