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Pig Eat Ball – Nintendo Switch Review

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Time to eat tennis balls and barf your way to glory in Pig Eat Ball, the newest game from the team at Mommy’s Best Games.

Pig Eat Ball is a strange, top down Action-Adventure where King Cake has promised the hand of his daughter in marriage to the winner of his contest. Princess Bow has other ideas and enters the competition herself in disguise, players take control of the princess and must complete levels by sucking up all of the tennis balls in each level as fast as possible. Players take control of the Princess Although this may sound simple at first, as you eat more balls you grow in size. If players grow too big they are unable to squeeze past certain obstacles and must barf out enough balls to proceed. If players take damage a “Barf meter” appears which counts down time until you barf automatically, this can be reset by getting hit again. Barf can also be used to disable enemies for a short while. Power ups and unlockable accessories that each have their own pros and cons that let players adjust their playstyle to suit their needs.

With a pixel art style, multiple “worlds” to visit and paying homage to numerous old arcade games, Pig Eat Ball is a pretty interesting looking game. The story starts to pick up after you complete about a third of the first world and adds some more ridiculous intrigue into the mix.  Containing 100s of levels to attempt and lots of different variations to the formula certainly helps to keep things fresh with some little distractions in the hub world. There are also levels where you have to compete against AI in tasks ranging from collecting starts to making sandwiches. Levels award medals based on how quickly you complete them and allows players to compare scores with others online to give some good replayability. One use power ups can also be activated to help out players but these are generally hidden in the overworld or various levels. 

Pig Eat Ball is a fun and entertaining game with some cleverly crafted levels that is probably best played in short bursts. Full of cheeky humour, barf and off the wall characters it will certainly appeal to some players more than others but is well worth a go.

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Mat Panek, Chief Games Reviewer
Retromancer – Collector, repairer & fan of retro games & tech. Atari to Amiga, Nintendo to Sega! LD, Zip, Beta and a proud dad! One half of the TiredParents on Twitch.

Follow Mat on Twitter and Twitch

 

 

Disclosure: Pig Eat Ball [Nintendo Switch eShop code] was kindly provided by Mommy’s Best Games for this review.

 

 

Rescue HQ – The Tycoon: PC Steam Review

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Emergency! Sound the alert, start the sirens and speed to the rescue in Rescue HQ – The Tycoon from Stillalive Studios on PC.

Rescue HQ is a management sim all about running and maintaining your very own all-in-one emergency department. Players start by setting up a small fire department and move onto others, including police and medical departments. As emergencies occur they will stack on the right hand side of the screen and it is up to players to decide the order in which they are resolved. Each emergency needs to be addressed within a set timeframe and takes a certain amount of time to complete, meaning it’s important to allocate teams, resources and vehicles based on qualifications and skills. Every emergency has a requirement that must be met from the number of personnel to equipment required. This ends up giving a “success rate” percentage before you dispatch, with a higher percentage meaning greater rewards. Completing a successful emergency rewards not only cash but also reputation points which can be spent to unlock new equipment. 

Although appearing to be a very simple looking game artistically, Rescue HQ is a complex and deep management game. The simple art style means that players can tell exactly what is going on at all times, regardless of how complex your headquarters starts to become. Departments will progress quickly and after a short time, players will have a beehive of activity across all three. Some major emergencies may require players to send two or even all departments to attend, meaning micromanagement is the key to success. Rescue HQ does also have some good tongue in cheek social commentary within the tutorial system that is presented by the eager and greedy Major.

Headquarters layout is very important, when staff are assigned to an emergency they must first head to their locker and prepare before boarding their vehicle. Players will quickly run out of space in the starting zone but more space can be acquired later on by purchasing adjacent plots of land. This does take longer than we would like to become available but it does allow players to learn the mechanics steadily rather than jumping forward too quickly. Games are divided into scenarios where players must last 5 weeks before endless mode is unlocked, this is our only real complaint about the game as it can be a bit of a grind. It is relatively simple to rework rooms in your headquarters though and maximising space is simple and rewarding.

Deceptively simple and pleasantly surprising, Rescue HQ is a game that we found ourselves happily putting in much more time than we expected. A great little game for those that like to whittle away hours trying to micromanage and streamline processes.

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Mat Panek, Chief Reporter
Retromancer – Collector, repairer & fan of retro games & tech. Atari to Amiga, Nintendo to Sega! LD, Zip, Beta and a proud dad! One half of the TiredParents on Twitch.

Follow Mat on Twitter and Twitch

 

 

Disclosure: Rescue HQ – The Tycoon [Steam code] was kindly provided by Stride PR for this review.

 

 

Observation – PlayStation 4 Review

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Reboot sequence initiated. Initialising. Launching review of Observation, the newest title from the crew of No Code Studios for the Playstation 4.

Observation is a Sci-Fi thriller adventure game with some puzzle elements thrown into the mix, set on the space station of the same name. The player controls the space station’s, Systems, Administration and Maintenance Operating System or “SAM” for short. After rebooting, SAM notices the crew missing and finds the space station drifting, orbiting Saturn instead of earth, after an unknown anomaly occurred. Players will have to recognize and carry out voice instructions from the initial survivor Dr. Emma Fisher as she attempts to restore power and figure out exactly what happened to the station. Starting off by following the progress of Dr.Fisher by using the on board surveillance system and using it to connect and interact with other parts of the station. The player is eventually allowed to use either the on board systems or one of the small spherical probes on and around the station. 

Observation does a great job of putting the player in the circuits of a cold AI that really changes the way you think about the whole situation at hand. If a voice print doesn’t match up will you accept it? If it does match but you don’t want to accept the command will you? From the offset there is something very strange going on and being put into an AI’s perspective changes the dynamics in a really unique way. SAM doesn’t feel like some omnipotent being the way HAL 9000 seems in “2001: A Space Odyssey,” he feels innocent and rooted far more in current technology. Observation is very methodical, camera controls are realistically slow and on board systems have a sort of clunky, outdated feel to them that even the crew’s logs complain about but this never feels like a hindrance.

The style of Observation is what really makes it stand out though, it strikes a balance between modern and slightly futuristic in all respects. The space station feels lived in with the daily life of the crew being visible but the Observation is still very clean and sterile meaning any overt deviation from order is jarring and strange. Camera effects and lighting play a major role, external station cameras are low resolution and fuzzy adding some great atmosphere while interior cameras are cleaner but still feel dated. There is always something eerie about the silence and isolation of space and the team at No Code have certainly got that feeling down to a science.

Observation is a fantastic Sci-Fi thriller that leaves the player with more questions than answers but definitely in a good way. A fresh take on a well worn genre with lots of little secrets and stories to discover. There are so many more good things to say about Observation but not without spoiling the mystery and charm players would experience by playing it themselves.

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Mat Panek, Chief Games Reviewer
Retromancer – Collector, repairer & fan of retro games & tech. Atari to Amiga, Nintendo to Sega! LD, Zip, Beta and a proud dad! One half of the TiredParents on Twitch.

Follow Mat on Twitter and Twitch

 

 

Disclosure: Observation [PS4 code] was kindly provided by Power Up PR for this review.

 

 

Stela – Xbox One Review

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Get ready to set forth and fulfil your destiny in Stela, the latest title from Skybox Labs, out now on the Xbox One.

Stela is a wonderful journey portrayed as a 2.5D platformer that has players traversing through an unforgiving but beautifully cinematic world and witnessing the end of an ancient civilisation. Upon awakening in a mysterious cavern, players take control of an unnamed protagonist and make their way through various areas that are equally beautiful as they are deadly. Moving through devastated vistas, cinematic action sequences and solving puzzles, players will attempt to reach their journeys end. In juxtaposition to the stunning scenery there is an ever present tension in Stela, with very little safe refuge for players to stop and take in the sights. Hazards come from not only the decaying civilisation around you but also from savage beasts and mysterious creatures that inhabit the world.

From the first moments of the game, Stela is beautiful and at times becomes downright gorgeous. There are lots of very obvious cinematic moments for players to revel in but even in the downtime between these, every shot has been carefully positioned for maximum effect. The camera will often pan in or out as needed to really highlight the action or to give a better sense of grandeur. There is plenty of depth to the colour palette with each area feeling new and different but still eerily devoid of life. Adding to the ambience and overall style of Stela is the magnificent soundtrack, full of a diverse range of themes that includes subtle melodies to heart pumping tracks. Full of soft strings, ethereal tones, heavy horns and industrial sounds that really helps to magnify the tension, relief or sense of accomplishment the player feels from moment to moment.

Although most of the time the player is on a single plane, there are often times when the character will need to climb onto background ledges to solve puzzles or avoid danger. Controls feel excellent and are easy to understand with the player only needing to know simple grab controls for things like moving objects, sliding boxes or pulling switches. Mechanics are introduced gradually and start to overlap with each other to become more complex but often lead to some sudden deaths that remind us of the original Prince of Persia. 

Although Stela may not bring anything new to the genre, it is an absolute pleasure to experience. In a year full of beautiful games, it is one journey that should absolutely not be missed and one we look forward to getting a perfect achievement score in.

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Mat Panek, Chief Games Reviewer
Retromancer – Collector, repairer & fan of retro games & tech. Atari to Amiga, Nintendo to Sega! LD, Zip, Beta and a proud dad! One half of the TiredParents on Twitch.

Follow Mat on Twitter and Twitch

 

 

Disclosure: Stela [Xbox One code] was kindly provided by Stride PR for this review.

 

 

Inferno 2 – Nintendo Switch Review

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Time to blast your way through waves of enemies in Inferno 2, the latest from 2Awesome Studio / Radiangames out now on Nintendo Switch.

Inferno 2 is a high action, fast paced twin stick shooter with RPG elements that feels right at home on the Nintendo Switch. Players control a ship that must navigate through various levels of increasing difficulty against scores of enemies that will fill the screen. Upgrades can be unlocked that increase damage, range and number of bullets fired as well as special powers like a repulsor or speed boost that need to be activated for a short time. Enemies vary from kamikaze drones to burst firing seekers that will track you down where possible. Players also have access to drones that will surround your ship and fire at enemies and absorb damage, the number of drones active can also be upgraded. Weapon upgrades can be chosen in any order leaving players free to customise their ship for individualised play styles.

Levels in Inferno 2 are coloured in a dark blue hue, while the player, enemies and other objects are contrasted with very bright and vibrant colours. The aesthetics work very well together and gives the game a certain “Tron” feel while also making it very easy to distinguish between threats and other objects. The soundtrack has a subdued feel that matches the look and feel of the levels while also complementing the various sound effects that are constantly occurring.

Inferno 2 has it’s mechanics and controls perfectly dialed in, even amongst all the chaos, making it feel tight and responsive at all times. Each level can generally be completed in a few minutes, often leading to a “just one more level” feeling that can have players glued to their switch for long stretches of time. With the addition of boss battles, local co-op and a new game plus mode, there is certainly plenty here for players to sink their teeth into.

A simple but rewarding game, Inferno 2 is a very refined example of the twin stick genre that expands on the simple format with some interesting and welcomed upgrade paths. With the amount of replayability on offer, Inferno 2 it is a game with a great deal of value in a stylish little package.

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Mat Panek, Chief Games Reviewer
Retromancer – Collector, repairer & fan of retro games & tech. Atari to Amiga, Nintendo to Sega! LD, Zip, Beta and a proud dad! One half of the TiredParents on Twitch.

Follow Mat on Twitter and Twitch

 

 

Disclosure: Inferno 2 [Nintendo Switch eShop code] was kindly provided by 2Awesome Studio for this review.

 

 

Heave Ho – Nintendo Switch Review

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Get ready to throw your weight around in Heave Ho the latest title from Le Cartel Studio, available on the Nintendo Switch and PC.

Heave Ho is a wacky and chaotic game where up to 4 players can compete or work together in the simple task of making it to the finish. Players use the shoulder buttons to grab the world around them and move the thumbstick to direct their arms and body. From the starting point, players will flail their way by gripping, climbing, swinging and flinging themselves across the screen to the finish in the hope of not plummeting to their death. If a player dies, they are taken back to the start or to a nearby checkpoint in longer round ending levels. Solo mode is good fun and allows players to play through the various levels at their own pace but co-operative mode is where the game really shines, making and more often breaking friendships. As players tug and tussle their way across the screen things can quickly go from bad to worse and on numerous occasions we found ourselves holding our breath or crying out in disbelief as we all plummeted to our doom.

In co-operative mode there are tokens placed around that must be grabbed and carried to the exit, usually requiring at least 2 players to succeed. Hidden mini games are also available for players if they can pull a golden rope within a short window of time, succeeding in those games will also reward tokens. Tokens can be used to unlock further cosmetic items from a lucky dip on the main menu. Players get to choose a colour and costume that reflects them before they begin, from simple facial features like hair or beards to full outfits like clowns or cowboys. There are also a handful of Devolver Digital Easter egg outfits to unlock.

The art style is kept purposefully simple which helps highlight platforms, obstacles and hazards but also looks fantastic and adds to the wacky aesthetics. Contrasting colours and simple shapes means that even the novice gamer can join in and have some fun. Controls can sometimes feel a bit fiddly or awkward but it does feel as this was done on purpose to add to the frantic nature of the game which is fine in co-operative but not so much in solo mode. Every time a new round is started from the menu and players choose their character, a quick tutorial can also be played which is great for new players. Game difficulty also has a steady ramp up to it that teaches the mechanics and new puzzle elements nice and gradually. Once all the main levels are completed, a far more sinister set of alternate levels are also unlocked that adds a myriad of extra hazards to every level in the game.

Heave Ho is an amazingly simple but rewarding party game that will have groups in tears of both joy and sadness. It is a game that shouldn’t be missed, that will easily make it on to a group’s regular party game rotation.

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Mat Panek, Chief Games Reviewer
Retromancer – Collector, repairer & fan of retro games & tech. Atari to Amiga, Nintendo to Sega! LD, Zip, Beta and a proud dad! One half of the TiredParents on Twitch.

Follow Mat on Twitter and Twitch

 

 

Disclosure: Heavo Ho [Nintendo Switch eShop code] was kindly provided by PowerUp PR for this review.

 

 

Project Nimbus: Complete Edition – Nintendo Switch Review

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Power up the generator, arm the missiles and prepare to launch into Project Nimbus: Complete Edition on the Nintendo Switch. 

Project Nimbus is a fast and frantic mech battle game where players take control of mobile battle suits to fight in a dark neo-futuristic timeline of earth. Players must fight and dash around the battlefield managing their boost level, weapon ammunition and evading enemy fire while trying to complete various objectives that usually involve destroying either specific or all targets. The campaign mode gives players the opportunity to pilot various Mechs from standard infantry to top of the line experimental units on both sides of the ongoing conflict but no way to customise them. Warfront mode allows the player to start from the lowest mech unit and work their way up to unlock better equipment and Mechs through various battle scenarios. There is also a survival mode where the player can choose from an impressive range of mechs to try and last as long as possible and rack up high scores.

Project Nimbus has some fantastic graphics even in handheld mode, impressing players with stunning vistas and detailed mechs. Since the surface of the earth has been left uninhabitable, all of the battles take place in the air above barren wastes or water expanses with the occasional floating city or fortress. It is quite impressive that Project Nimbus has such a stable frame rate considering the frantic action and the ever increasing number of enemies, explosions, decoys or objective arrows that fill the screen, especially on the Nintendo Switch. This can get a little overwhelming at times, mostly in modes other than the campaign, and players may find themselves a bit lost with everything going on.

Controls are responsive and feel very snappy, players will easily find themselves dashing about blasting away the opposition. There are a number of different weapons available depending on preferred play style from machine guns, energy weapons and even close range energy swords. In Project Nimbus’ default controller configuration it can be a bit difficult to switch between weapons on the fly in handheld mode but there is a radial menu ingame which can alternatively be used.

Overall, Project Nimbus: Complete Edition is a good addition for players that enjoy more arcade style mech games. The mission structure is perfectly suited for short play sessions on the switch but can get a bit repetitive with longer play sessions. There are plenty of reasons to keep coming back between all the game modes though so it is well worth the try for fans of the genre.

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Mat Panek, Chief Games Reviewer
Retromancer – Collector, repairer & fan of retro games & tech. Atari to Amiga, Nintendo to Sega! LD, Zip, Beta and a proud dad! One half of the TiredParents on Twitch.

Follow Mat on Twitter and Twitch

 

 

Disclosure: Project Nimbus: Complete Edition [Nintendo Switch eShop code] was kindly provided by Homerun PR for this review.

 

 

Star Wars Pinball – Switch Review

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What do you get when you mash together the world’s biggest pop culture franchise with one of the best video pinball developers on the planet? You guessed it, you get Zen Studios‘ Star Wars Pinball!

Zen Studios has somehow crammed 19 Star Wars themed pinball tables on this Switch release, which are damn brilliant and will satisfy any discerning Jedi pinball master – we were going to say wizard, but we reckon that has been done to death. The superlatives don’t just end there, there are additional features and modes that are exclusive on the Nintendo Switch, like HD Rumble, Vertical Play (grab your Flip Grip!), Cantina Jukebox, Galactic Struggle and Career Mode to name just a few.

As the title suggest, this is a pinball game at heart, meaning it is easy to get into and instantly enjoyable to flip the silver-ball. This is thanks to Zen Studios honing their skill in creating wonderful pinball experiences on consoles. The added bonus here is that the whole package is wrapped up in all things Star Wars. If you scratch the surface of this title and start looking deeper, there is a lot of content that will keep you playing for a long long time (in a galaxy nearby).

As mentioned, the unique gameplay modes on the Switch allow players to participate in community-wide Galactic struggles, allowing for contribution points to the light or dark side, depending on how you feel. Likewise, the new career mode allows players to join the ranks of the Jedi or Sith as they achieve up to 50 career ranks, and simply playing any table unlocks special Force Power bonuses that can be applied toward bigger scores. Playing any table unlocks special Force Power bonuses that can be applied towards bigger scores, and a Force Training mode to help pinball Padawans maximize their flipping potential.

The 19 Star Wars pinball tables are centred around the movies and TV show franchises, with iconic characters, memorable locations, and general Star Wars goodness:

  • Movies Adaptations: Episodes IV, V, VI, VII and VIII, plus Rogue One: A Star Wars™ Story and Solo: A Star Wars™ Story
  • TV Adaptations: Star Wars™: The Clone Wars™, Star Wars Rebels™
  • Characters: Han Solo, Darth Vader, Lando Calrissian in The Calrissian Chronicles table, Boba Fett, Droids
  • Locations: Ahch-To Island, Mimban (Battle of Mimban)
  • Themes: Jedi vs. Sith (Masters of the Force), X-wings vs. TIE fighters (Starfighter Assault), being the bad guy (Might of the First Order)

No matter which side you choose, Light or Dark, Jedi or Sith, you will Feel the Force in Zen Studios’ Star Wars Pinball on the Nintendo Switch. We highly recommend you give this awesome game a flip!

Disclosure: Star Wars Pinball [Nintendo Switch eShop code] was kindly provided by Zen Studios for this review.

 

 

Untitled Goose Game – Nintendo Switch Review

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Get reading for a honking good time with Untitled Goose Game, the latest game from the team at House House on Nintendo Switch, PC and Mac.

Untitled Goose Game is a game where you assault a calm english country styled village as an annoying goose, stealing keys and tormenting children. Players will honk as they guide their feathered fiend through the nameless sleepy village leaving broken items, rubbish and cranky residents in their wake. Untitled Goose Game is pretty straightforward in its approach, each location has a list of things to do before you can move on to the next area of the village. Players shouldn’t limit themselves to just the list though, there are quite a few secret to-do items to discover, each one just as fowl as the last! It is also best to go into Untitled Goose Game with as little prior knowledge as possible since the majority of the fun is discovering how to wreak havoc for yourself.

Considering how much chaos the player can cause in the village, Untitled Goose Game is a rather relaxing journey that is full of fun and laughter. The art style looks very much like a children’s story book with it’s simple shapes and colours that evokes joy in even the simplest tasks. There is a surprising number of things to do and lots of different ways to approach each situation that makes exploration and “out of the box” thinking incredibly rewarding. Controls are very simple making Untitled Goose Game great for anyone to just pick up and play. Every game needs a dedicated “HONK” button as far as I’m concerned. It is also just as entertaining to watch others attempt challenges as no two people seem to play the same way.

There is not much else you can say about Untitled Goose Game that wouldn’t ruin the experience for those that haven’t played it yet. It may feel a little on the short side once you finish the main to-do list but there is plenty of reason to dive back in with all the extra challenges. It is a charming and beautiful little game that is guaranteed to bring a smile to players faces. Make sure you give this one a gander!

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Mat Panek
Retromancer – Collector, repairer & fan of retro games & tech. Atari to Amiga, Nintendo to Sega! LD, Zip, Beta and a proud dad! One half of the TiredParents on Twitch.

Follow Mat on Twitter and Twitch

 

 

 

 

 

Vambrace: Cold Soul – Nintendo Switch Review

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Face the frost fall and seek answers in Vambrace: Cold Soul, the latest title from Devespresso and Headup Games for the Nintendo Switch.

Vambrace: Cold Soul is both a beautiful and brutal RPG with roguelike elements that will punish and test players looking for a challenge. The city of Icenaire has been put under the blight of “The Frost Fall” a spell that has formed an ice wall around the city, driven the citizens underground and caused the dead to rise as wraiths. You take command of Lyric, the first outsider to enter Icenaire, that has come into possession of a mystical Vambrace that allows her to traverse the frost walls. As she seeks answers about her father, players will forge alliances and attempt to uncover the mystery of her father’s disappearance. On your adventure you will create a team of up to four to travel to the surface in search of answers. Each character has different sets of skills to help you fight and survive the horrors that await you including ghosts, wraiths, golems and bandits. Players must attempt to traverse “dungeons” that are set up as surrounding neighbourhoods and city districts, moving to the end of the level will move player’s teams deeper into the fray bringing greater risk and reward. At the end of each dungeon there is a boss battle that really tests players mettle in combat.

Combat in Vambrace: Cold Soul has fairly by-the-numbers turn based combat where each character has a certain “reach,” meaning you want the tankiest member of your squad up front pulling damage and ranged characters at the back. Tactical thinking is rewarded as both sides can be buffed or debuffed depending on the skills and class of your teammates. Enemies start off feeling fairly easy but get progressively harder as you move through each dungeon, a Geistometer measures the terror in your team and once filled signals the arrival of stronger wraiths, so don’t stick around for too long in one place. As you explore each area you will find constant resources and loot but also booby traps and other hidden dangers. Characters will fall if either their health or vigor falls to zero, this leads to some real tough situations where party members can fall shortly before or after big battles which feels rather frustrating.

Where the game really shines is in the art which looks terrific, Vambrace: Cold Soul has impressive amounts of detail in both character and world art. The majority of the game is done as side-scrolling adventure sections with pop up interactions for looting and other various actions but there are also illustrated random encounters players will stumble onto as they progress. The story is interesting and there is a fair amount of mystery and intrigue as both the player and Lyric learn about the city of Icenaire. Side quests can be completed in multiple ways allowing Lyric to make new allies and enemies depending on whom players choose to help. There is quite a lot going on under the surface in Vambrace: Cold Soul meaning that the game is as unforgiving as the city it is set in.

Overall Vambrace: Cold Soul is an interesting game that unfortunately has some uneven difficulty spikes that may leave players feeling a little cheated. There is plenty to enjoy here and dedicated players that are able to dig deep and take in all the mechanics will be rewarded with lush visuals and an interesting story.

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Mat Panek
Retromancer – Collector, repairer & fan of retro games & tech. Atari to Amiga, Nintendo to Sega! LD, Zip, Beta and a proud dad! One half of the TiredParents on Twitch.

Follow Mat on Twitter and Twitch

 

 

Disclosure: Vambrace: Cold Soul [Nintendo Switch eShop code] was kindly provided by Headup Games for this review.