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Weird West Review | Xbox One

11/4/2022

 
weird-west-review-xbox-one

​It's clear that WolfEye Studios' wanted to do something different with the Wild West. From the beginning, there's an element of otherworldliness that not only permeates the whole game, but drives the story forward, pulling the player along for a wild (sorry, weird) ride, full of intrigue, mystery and a whole lot o' kicking.

Picture
by
Chris Brand

Picture

​@SuperCrisco

Weird West Review Xbox One box art
Developer: WolfEye
Studios
Publisher: Devolver
Digital
Platforms: Xbox One,
PS4, PC
Players: 1

As we're introduced to our first protagonist, the cutscene subtly informs us of four more and, already, we're wondering just how many of them will survive.
 
The inhabitants of the Weird West are well aware of the supernatural threats that lurk in the shadows but, as a player, it's all new to us. Tooltips pop up frequently in the early game, making us aware of the basic, twin-stick shooter controls and giving some welcome hints about picking things up and/or kicking them. Whilst the controls are fine and dandy for the most part, it can be a little finicky when items you want to pocket are close together or friendlies are getting in the way of your shot. Despite this, we had very few friendly-fire incidents and never once did we accidentally steal something.

After the, rather long, but well-paced, opening mission, we find ourselves at a small town which serves as a hub, with all the amenities (crafting, selling, sleeping and all that) one could wish for.
 
A main mission points us one way, a side mission another, and a couple of bounties we picked up for extra cash take us further than we dare to go at this early stage. Limited inventory space tempers our wanderlust too, as we try to earn enough moolah to purchase a steed, not only to store items but to reduce travel times on the world map.

​Each location is its own instance and journeying between them entails watching your icon move across the map and hoping that any random encounters you stumble upon are beneficial. Most will provide loot of some kind, whether it's consumables, weapons or simply plain old junk to hawk in the nearest town.

Though some are barely worth the (admittedly small) time and ammo investment, others can reward a Nimp Relic or Golden Ace of Spades, used to invest in skills. The former unlocks abilities for your current character, whilst the latter unlocks permanent upgrades which you carry throughout the game.

With so many locations to visit, it seems there's an endless supply of goodies to unearth which encourages exploration and offers the chance to experiment with the skill trees without any risk of making a mistake.
 
Exploration can wear thin as most (but certainly not all) areas are relatively small and some are identical. There are different environments to discover as you're unveiling the world map but the graphical style, though it works well, prevents anything from being particularly noteworthy.
 
The sole purpose of exploring is for personal gain. If you're working towards unlocking a particular skill, you'll find what you need sooner or later, but, aside from a few core abilities that'll influence how you approach the game, there's nothing you can't live without.
weird-west-review-xbox-one-skills
Even stealthy types will want a few combat-focused skills though, as fighting is inevitable and, sometimes, it's just a lot quicker, especially with a companion or two supporting. Thankfully, firefights tend to be short affairs, as the combat itself is simple and not terribly exciting.
 
Plus, there's only a small number of ranged weapons available, though this, alongside the very basic crafting/upgrading system, can be a welcome change of pace. It cuts down a lot of the menu navigation that is required in other action role-playing games.
How much the story twists and turns is partly dependent on the player, making every action feel significant.
Weird West is more marathon than sprint and it seems a greater amount of time is spent with the first character than any other. This isn't a bad thing; the narrative can slowly build as players familiarise themselves with the various mechanics. Gameplay wise, characters play the same, with only a few select skills that are exclusive to each.
 
The story, however, deepens with every new soul you visit and every interaction you have. For a short while, the protagonists' lives are intertwined and their fates are in your hands. Many of your decisions will have consequences and, whilst it's easy enough to guide the overarching story where you think it should go, you could cause trouble for yourself in the short-term, by killing a key character before they can share useful info, attracting the attention of bounty hunters or having NPCs you've previously wronged start a vendetta against you, guaranteeing a violent altercation with them in the future.
 
It's not without its technical issues. Companions will sometimes freeze in place or completely disappear, your horse will often walk around whilst you're transferring items to or from your inventory (moving and, eventually, closing the menu) and at one point we became intermittently incorporeal. These issues, as annoying as they are, can be addressed by reloading an earlier save or forcing a loading screen by travelling somewhere.
Simplicity is at the heart of Weird West. Gameplay is straightforward, dialogue isn't long-winded, cutscenes are not littered throughout and the Narrator chips in sparsely enough to never overstay his welcome. The story being the only exception. How much it twists and turns is partly dependent on the player, making every action feel significant, as the big mystery surrounding these chosen few becomes ever clearer.
 
With enough dedication, you could spend 30 hours in the Weird West before reaching a satisfying conclusion and none of it would be wasted.

Pros
  • Easy to pick up
  • Engaging and compelling narrative
  • Lots of kicking
 
Cons
  • Minor, but too frequent, technical issues
  • Limited variety in a long run time
 
8/10
0 Comments

Elden Ring review | PS5

14/3/2022

 
My original Elden Ring character, an Astrologer, beneath the Erdtree

OK, let’s get the obvious out of the way – yes, Elden Ring is tough. This will be little surprise for anyone who knows developer FromSoftware’s track history, but it was important to give it a little more time than our usual reviews to really scratch the surface of this colossal experience, so here goes…
James Michael Parry
by James Michael Parry

Twitter logo
@james_parry

Elden Ring box art
Developer: From Software
Publisher: Bandai Namco
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Players: 1+

Coming into this game as a relative newcomer, having had some substantial time with Dark Souls II but never really “getting” it, I was fully prepared for a damn good thrashing, but in the end Elden Ring challenged me in ways I didn’t expect.

The basics? You are a Tarnished, exploring a fantasy world known as The Lands Between. Unlike previous SoulsBorne games, the map is open world, which is probably one of the game’s biggest stand-outs.

You can choose between 10 classes, each of which has differing RPG stats like strength, dexterity and intelligence, and specific starting weapons and armour. After gaining a few levels, done by spending the runes you get from defeating enemies at Sites of Grace, you can customise your build extensively, meaning the lines between classes are fairly thin.

​There’s also magic to contend with, as classes like Astrologer, Confessor and Prophet, which add a different element to the hack-and-slash play style veterans might be used to.

Getting into combat, classes and how the game works is only really explained to an extent. The on-the-nose-titled Cave of Knowledge serves as a tutorial area, which you could actually miss if you rushed through the opening area, which tends to do more to explain traditional combat than magic or arcane-based approaches.

Mastering mechanics like guard counters, parrys, backstabs and visceral strikes is crucial, and the difficulty of encounters varies wildly depending on how well you can execute these moves.

However, my combat experience overall didn’t follow the path of improvement I expected from dying over and over again. Let me explain.​​
As you gain levels, the number of runes needed to gain the next increases, so at times you’ll find yourself wanting to farm runes to gain levels before taking on a particular area or boss. One area I stumbled upon (though I since read is a well-known farming spot) is a hilltop in Stormhill near the Warmaster’s shack, which has five trolls just hanging out.

Each gives you 1,000 runes, and one in particular is more chilled out than the others, making it an easier target. Throughout my time with the game I explored this area many times (and if you try yourself beware doing so at night, as the Deathbird boss lurks nearby), and every single time the experience has gone differently.

​
What’s frustrating is that the method and timing might be exactly the same, but because the enemy AI is clever enough to not be entirely predictable, you never feel like you have a particular handle on the situation, and after one early attempt where I killed 3 or 4 trolls in a row I foolishly went in with a new-found sense of confidence, only to be cut down before defeating even one.​
Every experience of Elden Ring will be different. There are a lot of different options and approaches you can take – some which might be considered easier...but all are valid.
This is the sort of thing which means Elden Ring “isn’t for everyone”. Not because not everyone can “git gud” or because they aren’t capable, but because different people want different things from their gaming experiences, and here the rewarding feeling is earned by a lot of time, hours and determination to keep going back after being killed by Margit, the game’s first mandatory boss, depending on which way you go.

Bosses are a huge part (often literally) of this genre of game, and Elden Ring is no exception. One of the symptoms of an open world is that many of these battles are optional, or at least feel avoidable, since they can be tackled in different orders.

The tougher bosses have NPC summoning signs which you can use to bring a bit of coop support into battle, and the arcane skills known as Ashes of War can also include allies like wolves, a sorcerer or even jellyfish.

You can also team up with other players, the mechanics of which probably could be explained better, but, at this point, what did we expect? The important thing is, the option is there for those who want it, and if you’d rather play offline without any helpful (or deceptive) player messages littering the landscape, you can do that too.​
Big scary Elden Ring enemies
Every experience of Elden Ring will be different. With so many classes, builds, weapons and paths to choose, there’s no right way to work through the game’s map, and there are a lot of different options and approaches you can take – some which might be considered easier than others, but all are valid.

Visually, the game doesn’t give as striking an impression as the Demon’s Souls remake on PS5, though there are plenty of beautifully crafted vistas and memorable locations, just something about this game’s visual style doesn’t have the same contrast and impact.

There is a lot of colour however, with the rich greens, reds and golds of the landscape and sky feeling like a breath of fresh air compared to the greys and browns you might typically see in a FromSoftware production.

There are some technical rough edges as well, with a fair amount of noticeable pop-in textures for things like grass. While it doesn’t tend to affect gameplay, it does emphasise the amount of detail that’s packed into the world.​
Torrent the horse leaping in Elden Ring
Exploration on the other hand is a huge strength. Since sometimes you can run into a tough enemy and feel like you need a change, or to gain a few levels before heading back, having the option of picking any other compass direction and knowing there will be a completely different experience to discover is hugely exciting.

The score and audio design gains some big points as well, with the chilling, understated music swelling to raise the drama of an encounter, and you quickly getting to know sounds that come from touching a Site of Grace or summoning your trusty spectral steed Torrent.

In all, the journey across The Lands Between has been far more enlightening than I expected, with Elden Ring proving to be more forgiving, rewarding and yet more punishing than any game I’ve ever played.

Whether it’s an experience for you or not, you might have already made up your mind, but if you’re hesitant, I would say it’s definitely worth the benefit of the doubt. FromSoft have crafted an experience that's well worth a go.

Pros
  • An open world which redefines what an open world can deliver
  • Tried and tested hack-and-slash with tons of options and approaches
  • A careful balance between challenge and rewarding gameplay

Cons
  • Visuals lack punch at times and pop-in is fairly common, even on PS5
  • Difficulty spikes can be just too unforgiving and encounters inconsistently taxing
  • While the lore of the world is rich, the story takes a backseat a little too much, despite input from George RR Martin

9/10
0 Comments

Diablo 2: Resurrected review | PS5

5/10/2021

 
Lighting and fire in Diablo 2: Resurrected
“Just keep putting skill points into Thorns” – this was the advice we received the last time we played Diablo 2, over 20 years ago, but we'd need more than that to fend off the demonic forces of hell.
Picture

​by James Michael Parry

Picture

​@james_parry

Picture
Developer: Blizzard North
Publisher: Activision Blizzard
Platforms: PS5, PS4, PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Switch
Players: 1-4

In Diablo 2: Resurrected, Blizzard haven’t made many changes, though the visual improvements do look nice. Character and enemy models have had a tune up, and the lighting, fire and magic effects all have more impact. For example, you'll now see dynamic shadows behind pillars as you explore the dark underground dungeons.

There is an odd disconnect between the renewed cinematic cutscenes and the game itself, with the former firing on all cylinders, before then plunging players into a dated-looking isometric viewpoint. By comparison, the in-game improvements don't make the gameplay feel quite as up to date.

This feeling continues into the combat. Basic attacks don't carry much weight, making things feel a bit button mashy at times, even with some rubber banding and animation overlap. The minimal rumble, and little noticeable use of the DualSense features on PlayStation 5, suggests this version hasn't been given much platform-specific thought.

​Getting to grips with the procedural maps and unforgiving death system can be somewhat of a shock, given there's no in-game explanation or hints to make sense of these quirks. In fact, the level of tutorialisation and guidance in general is minimal, but purists might say that's the point.

While it might not be an RPG which veterans of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt or Skyrim would find familiar, there's an awful lot of depth going on beneath the surface, giving you the power to fully micromanage your character's build over time.
The Necromancer class in the character selection screen of Diablo 2: Resurrected
Those with a background in Dungeons & Dragons or anyone who knows their dexterity from their vitality will feel right at home, as the player is given five precious attribute points each level to spend however they like. It’s even possible to respec, though only once per playthrough without some extra legwork.

Levelling also pays out skill points, which are more immediately tangible, granting additional active abilities which consume mana, or passive traits which become more and more significant with each point invested.

Certain gear requires meeting specific class and attribute thresholds, which is something else to keep in mind. Looting is a big deal in general and you'll quickly find the limited inventory space filling up as a result, so item management is also a key part of getting the most out of the experience.​
Dialogue in a dungeon of Diablo 2: Resurrected
Keeping gear up to date is vital to avoid getting caught out and brutally cut down in your stride; even a change to one or two equipment slots can grant huge bonuses against certain enemies. Since dying drops all money and equipment until it’s retrieved from your corpse, character loadouts are something to always stay on top of.
It's clear time and care has been put into the remaster, but perhaps, in the end, Blizzard should have gone for a remake.
Baddies come in all shapes and sizes, from elemental beasts to savage demons, and at times the screen can be filled with a horde of different targets. Targeting isn't as precise as it could be on a controller, unfortunately, which can lead to some annoying deaths.

The most frustrating foes to watch out for, who come in various forms throughout the game but start appearing very early on, are the shamans, who have the power to revive their fallen allies. Of course, for those that choose to play the Necromancer class, it’s possible to beat them at their own game.
Taking out enemies in the ruins in Diablo 2: Resurrected
Whatever the class, it’s always possible to hire a mercenary to help out in combat and draw some enemy fire, which can make a huge difference when it comes to crowd control. This helps to make the experience feel less lonely, but, of course, you can also team up with fellow adventurers in online co-op multiplayer.

In the end, Diablo 2: Resurrected can feel a little archaic and even out of touch with what draws many to modern action games. It's clear that time and care has been put into the remaster, but perhaps, in the end, Blizzard should have gone for a full remake – look at the recent successes of Final Fantasy VII and Demon's Souls as a couple of examples within the genre.

With many fans eagerly awaiting Diablo 4, D2: Resurrected is a good opportunity to try the game that put the series on the map. The company's current lawsuit may cause some players to think twice, but as far as judging the game on its own merits, there's a lot to enjoy, and it's easy to see why the original gained such esteem two decades ago.

Pros

  • A faithful visual upgrade to an undisputed classic
  • Dive deep to discover the lore
  • Kill a few demons in many different ways

Cons
​
  • May stick too close to the aging original for some
  • Minimalistic music is fairly underwhelming 
  • Little help to ease in new players

7/10
0 Comments


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