Games of DAYNE was kindly invited to attend an exclusive showing of Outright Unwrapped last week and alongside the release of the showcase to the public mere moments ago, I can finally talk about these exciting announcements.

OG Unwrapped 2022 can be viewed in it’s entirety here and if you scroll below this video, you’ll see a brief breakdown of all of the games featured.

PAW Patrol: Grand Prix

Racing onto our screens from developer 3D Clouds, PAW Patrol: Grand Prix brings the Uber-popular pups to the race track for some PAWsome kart-racing madness. Featuring 11 tracks, customisable karts, sneaky obstacles from Mayor Humdinger and more, players can utilise power-ups to have a blast on the track with up to 4 players locally.

Continuing Outright Games‘ trio of PAW Patrol titles, this cute kart racer is poised to steal the hearts of our young ones with its accessibility options, genuine PAW Patrol charm and action.

Platforms: Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Steam and Stadia

Release Date: September 30 2022

DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms

Developed by A Heartful of Games, DreamWorks Dragons: Legend of the Nine Realms thrusts players into the exciting world of the charming dragon franchise that has become ever popular through a number of films and television series. Playing as Plowhorn, Wu & Wei and Feathers, with the ability to switch between the dragons at will, players can upgrade the skillset of their dragons as they explore the realms in search of Thunder’s family.

This single player title looks to feature the heart and charm of the adventures seen on the big and small screens, from its faithful visual presentation and simplistic gameplay elements, DreamWorks Dragons: Legends of the Nine Realms sets out to take us on an exciting and heroic adventure through underground dragon kingdoms to rescue Thunder’s lost family.

Platforms: Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Steam and Stadia

Release Date: Fall 2022 (ANZ Spring 2022)

L.O.L. Surprise! B.B.s Born to Travel

Become an L.O.L. Surprise! doll and collect special versions of your character as you take on challenges to deliver exciting fashion shows and music concerts across 30 stages and 5 iconic cities such as New York, Paris and Tokyo. Up to 4 players can work together in this outrageous arcade fashion game from Xaloc Studios.

Platforms: Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Steam and Stadia

Release Date: October 7 2022

Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova

Based on the animated series that launched at the beginning of the year on Paramount+, Star Trek Prodigy: Supernova aims to recruit the next generation into the Star Trek universe in a playful, intergalactic adventure that takes six alien teenagers on a quest for hope and salvation.

Playing as Dal R’El and Gwyndala, either solo or co-operatively, to race against time before supernova destroys everything, puzzles, robot showdowns and more await the heroes as they set out to save their friends. The alien worlds of Orisi, Mires and Taresse each offer up their own unique challenges and mysteries, containing iconic trinkets from the Star Trek franchise to customise the Protostar.

As someone who has made it 31 years without having seen anything Star Trek related with the exception of the animated series that has inspired this title, I am definitely looking forward to entering the fandom with this action packed adventure.

Platforms: Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Steam and Stadia

Release Date: October 14 2022

DC Justice League Game from Outright Games (final name to be revealed)

Undoubtedly the highlight of the first ever digital showcase from Outright Games was the bombshell announcement of an upcoming Justice League title. While only the briefest of teasers was shown for the action adventure titles from PHL Collective, it’s safe to say this is one to keep our eyes on as more comes to light in the future ahead of its release next year.

Platforms: Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Steam and Stadia

Release Date: 2023

Outright Games are the undisputed leaders of family friendly experiences, bringing the most iconic franchises to the video game medium in a manner that is accesible and enjoyable for players of all ages. With an exciting back catalogue and a seemingly never-ending slate of exciting announcements such as these, the legendary publisher is poised to continue to win the hearts of our youngest players with big-name franchises that some of us have grown up with for decades or have only been introduced to as we grow with our children.

OG Unwrapped 2022 was massive and a exciting debut into the digital showcase space that delivered reveals big and small that undeniably appeal to the broadest range of players. Outright Games have given us a host of things to look forward to over the next 12 months that I personally can’t wait to share with my children.

Don’t forget to also follow Games of DAYNE on: Twitter, Facebook and YouTube!

The post Outright Unwrapped 2022 first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

For those unfamiliar with Outright Games, they have playfully dominated the licenced and family friendly title space in recent years with a publishing catalogue of some of the most beloved franchises in children’s television. Titles such as Adventure Time, Ben 10, PAW Patrol, Gigantosaurus, Trollhunters and Ice Age are just the tip of their publishing iceberg. YouTube child sensation Ryan from Ryan’s World, the recent iterations of Jumanji and even the iconic Transformers also have the Outright Games stamp in recent years.

Outright Games have curated a portfolio of powerhouse licences that have been adapted into experiences that can be enjoyed and made accessible to younger players while also remaining enjoyable for parents or older players. The first word that comes to mind when I think of Outright Games is ‘family’, and by publishing titles that in most cases can be played co-operatively, are inspired by beloved franchises and are developed with the most casual of accessibility and gameplay options, these titles offer a little of something to everyone.

Below you can find a brief overview of the titles from the event and a link to my full write-up for each, in order of their release dates.

PAW Patrol the Movie: Adventure City Calls

Developed by Drakhar Studio | Release Date: August 13 2021

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC

Hands-On Demo – 30 minutes

This is the only title of the showcase that has released, albeit recently. It is a tie-in of the film PAW Patrol: The Movie that released in cinemas August 21. This marked the third PAW Patrol title to be published by Outright Games and was developed by Drakhar Studio, who also published the previous entry, PAW Patrol: Mighty Pups Save Adventure Bay.

Drakhar Studio are also developing the upcoming Hotel Transylvania: Scary-Tale Adventures, to be published by Outright Games, which was absent from this presentation.

My full review of PAW Patrol the Movie: Adventure City Calls can be found HERE. I reviewed this title prior to this event.

The Addams Family: Mansion Mayhem

Developed by PHL Collective | Release Date: September 24 2021

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC

Hands-On Demo – 30 minutes

Inspired by the 2019 animated film, and its upcoming sequel, The Addams Family: Mansion Mayhem utilises a similar art design that allows for a greater connection between players who have seen the film. This title is a 3D platforming adventure full of exciting minigames that can be played alone or co-operatively with up to three other players, each taking the role of Gomez, Morticia, Pugsley and Wednesday.

PHL Collective previously developed Ben 10: Power Trip, published by Outright Games.

My thoughts, screenshots, and trailer of The Addams Family: Mansion Mayhem can be found HERE.

Blaze and the Monster Machines: Axle City Racers

Developed by 3D Clouds | Release Date: October 1 2021

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC

Hands-On Demo – 30 minutes

Blaze and the Monster Machines is a CGI-animated show that premiered on Nickelodeon back in 2014. Led by the monster truck and driver tag-team of Blaze and AJ respectively, this kart racer can be played alone or in 4-player split-screen.

3D Clouds are no strangers to developing titles to be published by Outright Games. The development team are responsible for 2019’s Race with Ryan and are also developing Fast & Furious Spy Racer: Rise of SH1FT3R.

My thoughts, screenshots, and trailer of Blaze and the Monster Machines: Axle City Racers can be found HERE.

My Friend Peppa Pig

Developed by Petoons Studio | Release Date: October 22 2021

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC

Hands-On Demo – 30 minutes

One of the most beloved children’s shows in recent years is being adapted by Petoons Studio. My Friend Peppa Pig is a fun-filled adventure full of activities, character customisation and the playful charm that’s made the television series a smash hit for years.

Petoons Studio are also developing the upcoming PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night.

My thoughts, screenshots, and trailer of My Friend Peppa Pig can be found HERE.

PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night

Developed by Petoons Studio | Release Date: October 29 2021

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC

Hands-On Demo – 30 minutes

Based on the popular animated show that premiered in 2015, PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night puts players in the roles of Catboy, Owlette and Gekko in the platforming adventure that takes place in familiar locations.

Also charged with the development of My Friend Peppa Pig, Petoons Studio are tackling TWO of the most popular children’s shows. It’s no small feat but from my hands-on experience with both, these beloved properties are in capable hands.

My thoughts, screenshots, and trailer of PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night can be found HERE.

Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Rise of SH1FT3R

Developed by 3D Clouds | Release Date: November 5 2021

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC

Hands-Off Demo

This was the only title in the show that was hands-off, with the game being showcased with commentary and a Q&A from members of Swipe Right, Outright Games and the development team from 3D Clouds.

Inspired by the animated Netflix series, Fast & Furious Spy Racers, Rise of SH1FT3R exhumes a visual flair and engaging style that is certain to appeal for audiences of all ages.

3D Clouds are also developing the upcoming Blaze and the Monster Machines: Axle City Racers.

My thoughts, screenshots, and trailer of Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Rise of SH1FT3R can be found HERE.

This was my first digital showcase and I couldn’t be happier that it was one for Outright Games. Their catalogue of titles are yet to disappoint, even as a 30 year old player, each one has managed to trigger the child within that still enjoys the simple, accessible and relaxing experiences Outright Games can deliver. As I have introduced my 3 and 5 year old sons, Hunter and Lachlan, to video games, these titles are fast becoming a staple at Games of DAYNE HQ, offering a vast array of family-friendly experiences that we can share together, either playing co-operatively, taking turns, or watching each other.

As a father, I can’t stress enough how great the value of titles published by Outright Games are in terms of fun and simple experiences for the kids. With almost every title recognisable with their television counterparts, most available on Netflix or other accessible streaming services, these are great gateway gaming introductions.

As a 3o year old gamer, I am still pleasantly surprised with how much I am able to enjoy these games. There’s something so relaxing and enjoyable about being able to kick back, switch off a little bit and simply play a game that isn’t constantly asking me to react with instinct or challenge me in some capacity. The Xbox Achievement Hunter in me also enjoys the achievement lists as they aren’t remotely taxing or time-consuming.

Outright Games tick the children, parent, gamer and Achievement/Trophy hunter boxes with flying colours. With the great experiences I’ve had in the past and present, and with the opportunity to play some of what’s to come in the very near future, I can’t wait to play the titles from this event in full and I’m even more excited for the surprises that are inevitably cooking away.

To keep up with everything Outright Games you can follow them at the links below;

Website | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |

The post OG Unwrapped 2021 – Outright Games Digital Showcase first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC

Fast & Furious Spy Racers is switching lanes, racing straight from Netflix onto consoles and PC in the form of Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Rise of SH1FT3R. The first thing to say about the hands-off presentation at OG Unwrapped is that this packs a surprising amount of polish and detail.

The official synopsis for Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Rise of SH1FT3R reads;

“Get your spy gear ready and ride to victory in Fast & Furious: Spy Racers Rise of SH1FT3R! Your moment has come to join Tony Toretto as a Spy Racer in a racing tournament across the world – from LA to the Sahara Desert and beyond. Take on the role of a Spy Racer and battle against the resurgent criminal racing organization, SH1FT3R. Prove you’re the best by racing across unique tracks with your gadgets and speeding through secret shortcuts. Personalize your car with unique skins and unlock new items within the game. Compete in couch co-op with a friend or play online with up to 5 other players. If you’ve ever wanted to be a hard-driving undercover spy, the Spy Racers want you!”

The visuals are striking and the attention to detail in each of the cars is very impressive. It hasn’t been overdone to the point it is trying to look realistic but is still beautifully realised as more than a typical racer. It’s slick, eye-catching and faithful to the show that inspired it.

In between the missions the characters hang out in the hideout which can be customised by spending points earned in races. Unlocking new decorations, ornaments, signs and other things that bring the hideout to life is cool and offers a meaningful in-game marketplace variety that breathes life into the non-racing moments.

New characters and vehicle skins can also be unlocked. There is a decent amount of replay value on offer in this game which should keep players coming back for a while with satisfying rewards up for grabs.

Each vehicle has its own unique abilities that look so fun to experiment with. The chaos in the races is exhilarating and suspiciously intense. The screen and track become full of carnage as the different vehicles unload their abilities, looking to provide some fun and wild challenges for players and their friends, either locally or online.

I’m personally not much of a car guy but there’s something about these types of games that are so fun and wild, and I was positively curious after it was first announced. After seeing 30 minutes of gameplay, I’m definitely more interested in Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Rise of SH1FT3R than I was heading in.

To keep up with everything Outright Games you can follow them at the links below;

Website | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |

The post OG Unwrapped – Fast & Furious Spy Racers: Rise of SH1FT3R Preview first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC

Blaze and the Monster Machines have been tearing it up for 7 years as a Nickelodeon television series. In just over two weeks however, Blaze and the gang are racing onto consoles and PC in Blaze and the Monster Machines: Axle City Racers!

With two young children that are obsessed with cars, whether they are toys, on-screen characters and even the real things, this title I can say with certainty is going to hook my boys, 3 and 5.

The loading screens between races have fun facts that are a nice little addition to keep the experience as informative as it is enjoyable.

The official synopsis for Blaze and the Monster Machines: Axle City Racers reads;

“On your marks, get ready to race with Blaze and the Monster Machines! From Axle City to the Monster Dome, the world of Blaze is yours to explore! So buckle your seatbelts and take control of Starla, Pickle, Crusher, and more friends. It’s time to race at blazing speed for the championship or play with up to 4-players in split-screen mode! The fun keeps on rolling. Boost and drift around classic Blaze tracks. Power-up with special abilities or customize Blaze in the garage. And with STEM education features, plus accessible options like Auto-Drive, kids will love learning as they race for glory!”

Each of the playable characters/vehicles have a unique ability that are simple to activate and fun to play around with. The simplicity to the gameplay is incredibly well though out as there is even an option to auto-drive which allows the player to steer while the car auto-accelerates or vice versa. This accessibility will be a great tool for helping younger players adjust to the multi-tasking required with this type of game.

Supporting 4-player local split-screen, Blaze and friends can race it out while all members of the family jump in and try to take their cute characters to the finis line first. It’s certainly not as chaotic as a Mario Kart type game for example but it offers the same sense of playful mayhem in the most accessible of manners.

Blaze and the Monster Machines: Axle City Racers feels like a fun little kart-racer that is wonderfully charming to look at and offers such great accessibility options that the youngest of players can enjoy without the pressures of complex controls. It’s simple, it’s fun and the competitive local co-op should inspire some fun competition between siblings. This dad still needs to learn to let the kids win more and I feel like the joy they will feel when they’re able to control the characters they enjoy watching on TV just might motivate me to let them win… maybe.

To keep up with everything Outright Games you can follow them at the links below;

Website | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |

The post OG Unwrapped – Blaze and the Monster Machines: Axle City Racers Preview first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC

For as long as I can remember I’ve been a fan of The Addams Family. Countless movies, television series and a handful of video games have been ingrained into my brain with joy. The Addams Family: Mansion Mayhem fantastically captures the magic and feeling of the recent CGI-animated film and its upcoming sequel.

The 3D platforming adventure packs in a variety of fun and spooky elements in an impressive variety of locations that draw a beautiful parallels with its big-screen inspiration.

The official synopsis for The Addams Family: Mansion Mayhem reads;

“Family game night is about to get terrifyingly exciting!

Only you and your friends can help Wednesday, Pugsley, Gomez, and Morticia save the Addams Family Mansion in this horrifyingly hilarious 3D adventure for up to four players.

The mansion is full of spooky scares – but can you discover its hair-raising secrets and save it from an unexpected threat?

Use each iconic character’s abilities to explore the house, solve puzzles, and find lost relics. Play competitive minigames that will have you bumping and jumping over each other to win.”

There is a crazy amount of variety in its mini-games. When speaking with one of the developers as I played my demo, I learned that every mini-game in The Addams Family: Mansion Mayhem is unique. That freedom to be so creative and playful with the variety was a task enjoyed by the team and from what little I was able to see in my experience with it, it will likely be received well when it launches at the tail end of next week.

The game world is laid out almost like a map with story missions along the way and these mini-games spread throughout. The mansion is laid out by rooms or areas, and a handful of missions and mini-games take place within different areas of these locations.

Playable solo or with up to three other players, the titular family are all playable and each have their own abilities that encourages experimentation. The mini-games in particular scream co-op and look to be a lot of silly fun that varies in its co-operative or competitive aspects that should provide a few laughs when playing with the little ones.

The Addams Family: Mansion Mayhem looks to sit atop the list of games I was able to preview at OG Unwrapped as perhaps the most complex but that by no means suggests it will be difficult for younger players. The platforming and mini-games that I was able to play through were fun, accessible enough with the simplified control scheme and look like a blast to be played co-operatively come next week.

To keep up with everything Outright Games you can follow them at the links below;

Website | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |

The post OG Unwrapped – The Addams Family: Mansion Mayhem Preview first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC

Peppa Pig is a franchise that took the children’s world by storm. My home is riddled with merchandise such as clothing, toys (including countless musical variants…), books and more. I remember first seeing the announcement trailer and thinking “my kids are going to lose their minds”.

Having shown the above trailer to my kids the next day at a more appropriate hour than I first saw it, their reaction was beautiful. They were so excited, screaming out the names of everyone as they recognised them and I knew that My Friend Peppa Pig was going to rock the households of children worldwide.

The official synopsis for My Friend Peppa Pig reads;

“Have a fun-filled adventure by becoming Peppa Pig’s new friend! Create and dress your character, ring Peppa’s doorbell, and begin a story that’s all up to you. Peppa suggests activities everywhere you go – help Daddy Pig find his glasses, follow the animal tracks in the Forest, splash in muddy puddles, and much more! It’s just like being in an episode of the TV show, where all your favorite characters are excited to meet you. From the Beach to the Museum and even Potato City, every playtime is a new experience with your friend Peppa Pig.”

As I began my demo experience I was immediately drawn to how clever the game was with its simplicity. I feel comfortable in the thought that even my 3 year old son, Hunter, is going to be able to pick this up, wander around and enjoy himself with little difficulty.

Is Hunter going to see the credits roll? I actually feel as though he might. The simplicity of the gameplay is perfect for the youngest of players, merely moving across the screen in side-scroller fashion though with a bit more dimension. Interacting with things is simple and the sheer variety of these simple interactions is impressive.

In the first few seconds of gameplay there was a puddle to interact with and all you do is jump in it, splashing mud and water around. I won’t lie, I jumped in the puddle for longer than a 30 year old man should care to admit. It was fun! I was imagining how my children would feel with this type of interaction, as much to my chagrin, jumping in puddles is something they love to do…

Some of the activities were great in the sense that My Friend Peppa Pig is just as focused on educating its young players as it is with entertaining them. One section had me picking up bottles and other recyclables that had been left laying around and disposing of them correctly in the nearby bins. It’s this subtle integration of education with the interactivity that help My Friend Peppa Pig stand out as a great example of how video games can be informative and shape the young and impressionable minds of its players.

The demo opened with a character customisation screen that was surprisingly plentiful. You could choose what type of animal to be, body shape, colours, glasses, hats… for a children’s game I was spoilt for choice and its this light level of creative freedom that I believe will appeal to the youngest of players.

The world looks, sounds and feels like the world of Peppa Pig which adds to the immersion for the intended audience. As someone who has managed to escape seeing too much of the show, despite it being on in the background with regularity, it looks like the show to a relative outsider and that speaks volumes to the level of commitment the team at Petoons Studio have put in to creating a genuine experience.

My Friend Peppa Pig, from my brief time with it, is shaping up to be a great game for those of us with kids. There’s a guilty pleasure to this type of game that I personally succumb to and I’m looking forward to the relaxing escapades of my custom character in the world of Peppa Pig, and possibly learning a thing or two in the process!

To keep up with everything Outright Games you can follow them at the links below;

Website | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |

The post OG Unwrapped – My Friend Peppa Pig Preview first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC

PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night is easily the title that had me the most excited heading into OG Unwrapped. I have found myself pleasantly surprised with how much I have enjoyed the show on Netflix since my two sons started watching it.

The official synopsis for PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night reads;

“Who goes into the night to save the day? You do! Get your PJs on and become Catboy, Owlette, and Gekko in the most exciting PJ Masks game yet. Set off from Mission Control HQ on a platforming adventure for little heroes. Use your superpowers – like Catboy’s speed, Owlette’s flying, and Gekko’s muscles – to stop the night-time baddies. And explore eight PJ Masks locations, from Mystery Mountain all the way to Moon! With PJ Robot’s help, you’ll discover a world of friendship, teamwork, and hidden collectibles. Can you save the world from Romeo, Luna Girl, and Night Ninja?”

I got to play as each of the three characters in the demo and found myself platforming, flying and crawling up and down walls. The side-scrolling perspective works well for the playful art design and appropriately keeps things simple.

There were plenty of things to collect, masks to find and light puzzles to solve using the special abilities of each of the characters. There’s enough variety to keep things from being too simple but not too much to overwhelm younger players.

The adventurous score accompanied the cute and charming visuals, providing an authentic presentation that seamlessly recreates the vibe of the TV series. It looks and sounds as fun as it plays, even at my age (which is at least triple that of the target audience), I found it endearing and enjoyable.

Coming in with the expectations I had, I can safely say I was not disappointed and I look forward to the full release PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night and getting the kids into it as well.

To keep up with everything Outright Games you can follow them at the links below;

Website | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |

The post OG Unwrapped – PJ Masks: Heroes of the Night Preview first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

I recently had the privilege of interviewing the Narrative Designer at Alterego Games, Matthijs Karmer, about the upcoming Sanity of Morris. Having played through the psychological horror experience a few times I had some story-driven questions to throw his way. You can find our exchange below the announcement trailer.

Games of DAYNE: Sanity of Morris is a clever title, as the sanity of both father and son come into question regularly. Was the decision for this experience to unfold with John following in his father’s potentially crazed footsteps one that was decided early? Or did your initial concept evolve from simply following one or the other?

Matthijs Kramer: Haha, such a wonderful question. Yes, the title is very much intentional. It was part of the concept as soon as we knew we were going to have a father and a son as main characters. There are two interpretations to the title and we aim to have you questioning about which of the two is the true meaning from the start right up until the end of the game, and beyond…

Games of DAYNE: The narrative is well layered, leading players on what seems like a simple search for John’s father before embracing the extra-terrestrial. Was the concept of possible alien existence something you were committed to from the start?

Matthijs Kramer: The idea of alien conspiracy theories, crop-circles and tin hats on the one hand and having the player dismiss it as nonsense at first on the other hand, had been part of the first prototype we made. There are people in our society that believe extraordinary things, what if they are true? What if they are not? There’s a tension there we wanted to capture.

Games of DAYNE: Collectibles and interactable logs, whether they are written or audio based, are often divisive among players. There seems to be a fine line between collectibles being simply means to an end, ie Achievements or Trophies for some players, feeling like tedious distractions or being an enjoyable component to the broader mythology of a world and its characters. I really enjoyed how well these were implemented in Sanity of Morris. The different types of collectibles, being pictures, journal logs or audio files, were all interesting and relevant to the narrative, leading up to and including the events of the game. How did you go about the process of deciding to implement these and how important was it they be a meaningful companion to story?

Matthijs Kramer: Well actually, there’s been a lot to do about collectibles within the team too. We envisioned them as being ‘extra to the story’ only at first. Because the average gamer might not collect them and would miss out on important stuff. In the end, we do think collecting them will give you a richer experience and a better understanding of the plot. A mixed blessing. Yes, it rewards the collector-gamers, but the more casual player might be missing out a bit on the intrigue. In our next title we’ll make more distinct split between ‘collectables’ simply for achievement hunters and ‘story-enhancers’.

Games of DAYNE: John’s broken relationship with his father became more interesting with every new piece of information. What was the thought process behind John’s father being so critical to setting up the events of the story?

Matthijs Kramer: As a writer (and a gamer) characters in games need to be interesting or at least have interesting ties and interactions with each other. If else, why are they there? I wanted to create tension between John and his father, but give it more complexity then simply ‘a bad relationship’… Something meaningful to delve through as the story progresses, giving more meaning to the ending because you’ve found out something new… or at least had the chance to… I didn’t want to write ‘just another indie horror game’, but give it depth.

Games of DAYNE: The explorable environments are interestingly designed and varied. From creepy foggy paths through the woods, houses with eerie paintings and photos to the inner sanctums of secret institutions and twisted alien interiors, the different locations each bring their own atmospheric tension, particularly as new threats are introduced. How did the team manage to create these diverse atmospheres that managed to remain consistently rooted in the psychological torment of John and his journey?

Matthijs Kramer: Our level designer AKA ‘lord art-director’ Vincent Da Silva has a keyword in work and that word is ‘ambience’. It involves a lot of nit-picking with colours, 3D-models, lighting and a good art direction for the 3D artists. But to be honest, we don’t know how he does it. Did you know there’s a Q&A with him at the StickyLock Virtual Launch party on the 23rd of March?

Games of DAYNE: Narratively speaking how important was it that John’s search for his father torment him emotionally in regards to their fractured relationship, while he was literally being tormented by the horrors and extra-terrestrial truth he was uncovering on the way?

Matthijs Kramer: We wanted these storylines to tie into each other, to stack and enforce each other near the climax. There is a point halfway the last level where in short succession, several quite drastic events take place to bring the two storylines together for the end scene. But it’s very true, in our quest to tell a thrilling story, we’ve not made John’s life a whole lot easier.

Games of DAYNE: To lighten things up from my serious branch of questioning, how weird were the alien designs before you landed on what ended up making it into the game? That kind of creative freedom must have been fun to toy around with during the concept development phase.

Matthijs Kramer: Wildly fun! We wanted to do something creepy, sure, but there’s been done so much already in popular media. We wanted something that would fit the lore we had in mind and the way these aliens would manifest visually. I’ve dug into our old concept art folders and dug up this beauty for you! The winning designs have been circled.

I want to say a huge thank you to Matthijs, Alterego Games and StickyLock Games for the opportunity to go hands on with Sanity of Morris ahead of launch and for the time afforded to me to conduct this interview.

Sanity of Morris launches March 23 on Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5 and PC.

As mentioned above their will be a virtual launch party on the 23rd to get amongst and also the details of a huge Steam gift card give away the day before, with winners announced during the launch party!

Be sure to follow @StickyLockGames on Twitter to stay up to date!

My review of Sanity of Morris can be found HERE.

Don’t forget to also follow Games of DAYNE on: Twitter, Facebook and YouTube!

The post Sanity of Morris – Interview with Narrative Designer Matthijs Kramer first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

While there were several high profile game delays, some of which still managed to launch in 2020, the year saw a steady flow of new release titles to keep people very busy. Each month seemed to bring a never ending supply to keep me going in what would ultimately become one of my favourite years of releases. I managed to review 100 titles, primarily on Xbox One with a small handful of PlayStation and Nintendo Switch games. With the launch of the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 in November, the year closed out strong with some excellent games to be enjoyed on this new generation of consoles and the amazing features they offer.

REVIEWS

Below you’ll find a complete list of every Review I published in 2020, all 100 of them! Simply click the title to check out the full Review!

Five Dates
Morkredd
Gears 5 – Hivebusters
DarQ: Complete Edition
Twin Mirror
Marvel’s Avengers – Operation Taking Aim
Cyberpunk 2077 (Launch)
Immortals: Fenyx Rising
Chronos: Before the Ashes
Nine Witches: Family Disruption
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
Chicken Police 
Macrotis: A Mother’s Journey
Full Throttle Remastered
Grey Skies: A War of the Worlds Story
This is the Zodiac Speaking
Watch Dogs: Legion 
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Little Hope
Ghostrunner
Star Wars: Episode 1 – Racer
Transformers: Battlegrounds
Pumpkin Jack
Re:Turn – One Way Trip
Remothered: Broken Porcelain
Raji: An Ancient Epic
Neighbours Back From Hell
Ty the Tasmanian Tiger HD
Mafia II: Definitive Edition
Star Wars: Squadrons
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
Projection: First Light
Bartlow’s Dread Machine
Nexomon: Extinction
Mafia: Definitive Edition
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time – Pre-order Demo Impressions
Leisure Suit Larry: Wet Dreams Don’t Dry
Crysis Remastered
WWE 2K Battlegrounds
Tell Me Why – Chapter 3 “Inheritance”
Tell Me Why – Chapter 2 “Family Secrets”
Marvel’s Avengers
Mask of Mists
Tell Me Why – Chapter One “Homecoming”
Control – Expansion 2 “AWE”
Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time
New Super Lucky’s Tale
Battletoads
Peaky Blinders: Mastermind
She Sees Red
Helheim Hassle
Hyper Scape
Darkestville Castle
Metamorphosis
Fast & Furious: Crossroads
The Mean Greens: Plastic Warfare
Skully
Maid of Sker
Rainswept
Destroy All Humans!
Carrion
Distraint 2
Control: Expansion 1 – The Foundation
Night Call
Star Wars: Episode I – Racer (PS4)
The Last of Us: Part II (PS4)
Waking
West of Dead
Outbuddies DX
Those Who Remain
Maneater
John Wick Hex
Moving Out
Predator: Hunting Grounds
Stranded Deep
Deliver Us the Moon
Ghost Sweeper
Resident Evil: Resistance
Resident Evil 3
Inops
Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee HD (Switch)
Bleeding Edge
DOOM Eternal
Mecho Tales
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Yakuza 0
One Finger Death Punch 2
Infliction: Extended Cut
Ailment
Darksiders: Genesis
Bayonetta – 10th Anniversary Edition
Vanquish – 10th Anniversary Edition
Cruz Brothers: Combat School Edition
STONE
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
The Last of Us: Remastered Review (PS4)
Red Dead Redemption II
The Quiet Man (PS4)
Until Dawn (PS4)
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End (PS4)
Detroit: Become Human (PS4)

I also compiled my personal picks for Game of the Year across a small handful of categories, which can be found HERE.

As 2020 also served as the end of a console generation, I also painfully prepared my personal favourites in my Games of the Generation article, which can be found HERE.

My #RoadTo1MillionGamerscore continued, taking a nice leap forward in April where I earned over 140,000 Gamerscore for the month. This new personal best, previously a 60,000 month in July 2019, would ultimately comprise just over half of my 2020 total. Below you can see my Xbox Stats for 2020 and my Xbox Stats (Lifetime)/Overall Total by the end of 2020.

I plan to shatter my best day and best month for Gamerscore records, currently 20,000 and 140,000 respectively, when I reach the end of my #RoadTo1MillionGamerscore… in July. July will likely be the biggest month I ever go through in regards to Gamerscore as I plan to pump out at least 200,000 Gamerscore for the month to push me into that magical seven digit territory. I can’t wait to conquer these goals so I can take a little time to work through my triple digit backlog that includes some PlayStation and Switch games that have been patiently waiting for me.

On the game front, there are so many that I look forward to that currently have release dates with many more that don’t have firm dates but are slated for a 2021 release. Last year was such a strong one and this year already looks to be able to match it. With the power of the Xbox Series X at my disposal I am so excited to see dozens of titles that look to take advantage of this new year and deliver some amazing experiences.

2020 was huge for Games of DAYNE and 2021 will be even bigger! Believe that

– Additional Links –

For more of my reviews, click HERE.

To see this review and other content from my associates at BG4G, click HERE.

You can also find Games of DAYNE on the following social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

The post Games of DAYNE Annual Review – 2020 first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

What I’ve compiled below are my personal favourite Top 3 in the following categories; Xbox, PlayStation, Independent Studio and Multi-Platform, capped off by my Top 5 overall favourite Games of the Generation.

Best Xbox Games of the Generation

#3

Ori and the Blind Forest

An absolutely beautiful metroidvania platformer with charming art design and fun gameplay, Ori and the Blind Forest was a joy from start to finish. A stunning score, breathtaking visuals and engaging gameplay, Ori had it all.

The overall presentation was a near flawless experience that feels fresh and enjoyable even 5 years after its 2015 release. Spawning an incredibly epic sequel, Ori has the potential to be a franchise that has me excited for its future.

#2

Quantum Break

Remedy Entertainment delivered a divisive experiment that blended time manipulating action gameplay with live action cinematics in Quantum Break. Featuring Easter Eggs from their wildly popular Alan Wake, Quantum Break told an epic story of time travel that allowed for experimentation with some enjoyable time altering abilities to combine with the gunplay.

Excellent performances, a thrilling narrative and fun gameplay came together in a very unique package that has constantly remained in the back of my mind as one of the best experiences I have ever had.

#1

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Ori and the Will of the Wisps released back in March 2020, a sequel to 2015’s excellent Ori and the Blind Forest. This platformer boasts some of the most breathtaking and enchanting visuals and packs in an emotional narrative. With some excellent new gameplay mechanics that result in an overall incredible experience, Ori and the Will of the Wisps was the most enjoyable Xbox title I played in 2020.

For my review of Ori and the Will of the Wisps, click HERE.

Best PlayStation Games of the Generation

#3

Days Gone

An emotional performance from Sam Witwer would be enough to get me interested in a game but when his character is thrown into the midst of a zombie apocalypse that has seen him departed from his wife and all he has left is his best friend and his motorbike, Days Gone is a pretty epic package. While the gunplay isn’t as great as it could be, Days Gone has a beautiful world that has been ravaged by the zombies, referred to as freakers, that can be explored while riding a customisable motorbike and tells an emotional story that is admittedly longer than it needs to be.

Despite these minor gripes with story length and gunplay, offering a ton of optional side missions chains as well, there is no shortage of things to do in a world full of characters that are interesting. Days Gone pleasantly surprised me and I regularly enjoy returning to that world and riding through the post-apocalyptic mayhem.

#2

The Last of Us: Part II

2013 saw the release of the critically acclaimed The Last of Us on PlayStation 3. 7 years later and the highly anticipated sequel stormed onto the PlayStation 4 and delivered an emotionally charged, shocking and ultimately thrilling narrative that threw out any preconceived concept of good versus bad. The powerful and tragic cycle of violence was ever-present throughout the highly divisive story that I personally believe was heavily influenced by their perspective of their experience. By a landslide The Last of Us: Part II is the only experience I had on PlayStation in 2020 that was memorable, thought provoking and worth revisiting.

For my review of The Last of Us: Part II, click HERE.

#1

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

Uncharted is a series that manages to outdo its previous entry each and every time, delivering epic and emotional stories led by Nathan Drake. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End maintained that trend and delivered an action packed, emotional, thrilling and highly cinematic adventure full of characters that felt genuine and authentic. The gameplay had evolved incredibly to the point of near perfection, the visuals were awe inspiring and the story telling was flawless.

Nolan North delivered his best performance in the series as Nathan Drake, solidifying Drake as my personal favourite video game hero in the process. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End effectively manages pace by slowing things down when necessary before kicking back into gear in this non-stop thrill ride.

For my review of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, click HERE.

Best Independent Studio Games of the Generation

#3

Pumpkin Jack

Reminiscent of the classic 3D adventure platform era of the late 90’s and early 2000’s such as MediEvil, Pumpkin Jack blew me away by offering a refreshing experience that was rooted in a genre that is all but forgotten. The charming world and playful art design were an absolute joy to experience. With fun yet simple gameplay and light puzzle solving, Pumpkin Jack also manages to tell an interesting and heartwarming story of a devious rogue with more heart than he was given credit for.

For my review of Pumpkin Jack, click HERE.

#2

New Super Lucky’s Tale

Masterfully invoking treasured nostalgic memories of classic 3D platforming adventures from yesteryear while also creating an incredibly charming world of its own, New Super Lucky’s Tale beautifully packages 2017’s Super Lucky’s Tale with all of its DLC in an absolute masterpiece of the genre. Lucky is as playful as protagonists come and oozes the iconic charm that have made Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog and Crash Bandicoot mascots for their brands. New Super Lucky’s Tale is a wonderful experience that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. Having played this game at 29 years old I can safely proclaim that I haven’t played a game that made me feel the way this did since Sonic the Hedgehog 2, the game that shaped my life and directed me towards looking at video games as something more than just a fun activity. Lucky is a brand just waiting to happen and whatever the future holds for this adorable fox, I for one will be there every step of the way.

For my review of New Super Lucky’s Tale, click HERE.

#1

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

Never before have I felt as tested, challenged and had my survival instincts questioned as I was with Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey. Panache Digital delivered an experience offering little to no tutorial, instead opting to put players at the mercy of their own intelligence as they attempt to evolve apes through generations across millions of years. Survival has never felt more urgent, danger has never felt more real and the fear of loss has never felt as consequential as when a member of your clan succumbs to injuries, sickness or merciless murder at the hands of nature’s wildest beasts.

There is no story and there is no particular objective other than to survive millions of years and evolving your ape clan to the brink of humanity. Challenging, thought provoking, incredibly frustrating but ultimately rewarding, Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey provides such satisfaction when the player is able to finally figure out how to do something that has caused frustration for minutes or hours. I have never felt so challenged but I have never felt so rewarded in any video game ever more than I have with Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey.

For my review of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, click HERE.

Best Multi-Platform Games of the Generation

#3

Control 

With Control, Remedy Entertainment solidified their Remedy Connected Universe, confirming the worlds of Alan Wake, Quantum Break and Control as existing in the same universe. Control more than capably holds its own as an incredible testament to the thought provoking narrative driven experiences Remedy have become know to deliver.

With incredibly dynamic, interesting and enjoyable gameplay which includes supernatural abilities, Control is a thrill ride start to finish. With a compelling narrative and an incredibly unique tone overall, Control is a master class in third person action adventures that keeps players thinking throughout. Going on to received two epic story DLC expansions, Control is one hell of an experience and what the future holds is incredibly exciting to speculate.

For my review of Control, click HERE.

#2

A Way Out

No game has ever been designed exclusively with co-op in mind quite like Hazelight accomplished with A Way Out. An incredible tale of two cell mates working together to escape prison and survive on the outside is more compelling, clever and enjoyable than it has any right to be. With gameplay mechanics that masterfully require players to work in unison, either via local co-op or online, this is the definitive co-operative multiplayer experience. The story is interesting, rife with suspense and tension and allows for decisions to be made that impact not just the player but their co-op partner as well. Tragic, heartfelt and thrilling, A Way Out is a must play experience.

#1

Red Dead Redemption II

2010 saw the critically acclaimed release of Red Dead Redemption from Rockstar Games. An open world action adventure set in the Wild West told the emotional story of John Marsden. 7 years later, Red Dead Redemption II launched as a prequel that further delved into John’s backstory but put the player in tragic boots of Arthur Morgan in an epic drama.

An absolutely jaw dropping world to explore was chock full of optional side missions and hunting to keep players busy for dozens of hours after the credits roll on the heartbreaking story. Featuring multiple endings based on a few key decisions, replay value couldn’t be higher with this breathtaking experience that managed to exceed every expectation.

For my review of Red Dead Redemption II, click HERE.

The 12 games mentioned above are the very best games that captivated my imagination and attention. Games of the Year and Games of the Generation will always be incredibly subjective but the list I compiled above are what personally managed to command my attention more than any other of the hundreds of games I played throughout the 7 years of the last console generation. Below I am sharing with you, of the hundreds of games I played, my Top 5 personal favourite Games of the Generation.

Top 5 Games of the Generation

#5

A Way Out

#4

Red Dead Redemption II

For my review of Red Dead Redemption II, click HERE.

#3

Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey

For my review of Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey, click HERE.

#2

The Last of Us: Part II

For my review of The Last of Us: Part II, click HERE.

#1

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End

For my review of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, click HERE.

7 years, hundreds of games and my personal favourite Game of the Generation is Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and as we enter the new generation, I’m looking forward to the hundreds more experiences I’m yet to have.

With the bar set for what I’m looking for in my next generation defining experience, I am so excited to see what can capture my attention the way every single game in this article has. I have no doubt some of the greatest games I will ever play are yet to release or yet to even be thought of and its that uncertainty that has me most excited.

Video games have the ability to provide experiences unlike anything we can have with film or television and as someone who leans towards a powerful story over gameplay, I’m looking forward to being on the edge of my seat wondering what’s going to happen next. The story of this generation will be interesting, exciting and unpredictable. Until then, I can’t wait to play hundreds more games in search of my next favourite.

The post Games of the Generation (Xbox One | PlayStation 4) first appeared on Games of DAYNE.