Recapturing the magic of that first ride!

Throughout the late 80’s and 90’s, LucasArts pioneered the adventure genre with its point and click classics that have since become iconic. In 1995, Full Throttle raced onto the scene with its near futuristic setting putting players in the role of the burly Ben, leader of the Polecats motorcycle club.

Unwillingly brought into a power struggle to determine the fate of Corley Motors, the last domestic motorcycle manufacturer in the country, Full Throttle Remastered allows players revisit Ben’s adventure in all of its enhanced glory 25 years after its original release.

One feisty Polecat

Founder and CEO of Corley Motors Malcolm Corley and his Vice President Adrian Ripburger are on route to a shareholders meeting. Overtaken by a motorcycle gang, the Polecats, Malcolm insists that they escort them to the meeting. Pulling in to the Kickstand bar where the gang has pulled up, Malcolm wastes little time in conversing with their leader, Ben. Declining the offer to escort the pair, Ben is knocked unconscious outside by one of Ripberger’s goons. Waking to discover his gang believe Ben has accepted the offer and followed suit, Ben tries to catch up only to discover his bike has been sabotaged and ends up crashing.

Ben and his bike are taken to the quiet town of Melonweed by photographer Miranda and taken care of by local bike mechanic Maureen. Together, Ben fetches the parts required for Maureen to fix his bike, allowing him to catch up to the Polecats. Arriving too late, Malcolm has been murdered by Ripberger, an act captured on camera by Miranda before she is attacked. With the Polecats framed for Malcolm’s murder, Ben embarks on a mission to clear their name and seek revenge on Ripberger.

The story comes in at around 3 to 4 hours for a casual player but those who grew up with Full Throttle and have played it several times can easily finish it in just over 2 hours. Family ties, deception and adventure offer an entertaining and often amusing experience that is sure to satisfy new and familiar players.

Point, click, ride

The gameplay in Full Throttle Remastered is unchanged from the original, presenting the classic point and click formula for the player to investigate their surroundings, find items of interest and engage in dialogue to uncover new clues.

An context wheel allows the player to Use, Kick, Look at and Talk to or Taste objects in the environment with the latter purely for Achievement/Trophy and amusement purposes. Using the right stick to move the cursor over certain items or characters in the area will highlight if it can be interacted with by giving it a name. From their the context wheel can be used to interact with it.

Collected items are added to the inventory and can be used on other objects in the environment to solve puzzles, provide new items or clues for progression. Some characters need to be conversed with and specific dialogue exchanges before the player can continue.

Some areas can be moved between by riding the bike which affords direct control, allowing the player to take exits to different areas. While riding other bikers are regularly encountered, this acts as the combat portion of the game. Initially able to pinch and kick, as players successfully defeat an enemy and causing them to crash, any weapon they may have had such as a chain, mace or even a chainsaw are added to the players inventory to be used as weapons in subsequent encounters. These are simple button mashing affairs with some enemies requiring the player to swerve in and out of contact to avoid being hit.

A thrill ride

A few cheeky Star Wars references are amusing, from simple dialogue to the design of the members of the Cavefish gang who appear as Tusken Raiders. The overall experience is interesting, amusing and most importantly fun. The premise of a biker gang becoming embroiled in a tale of betrayal with direct implications on the future of their passion is consistently engaging.

The supporting characters are entertaining and quirky, including Mark Hammil’s villainous performance as Ripberger. The late Roy Conrad brings Ben to life with such gusto that his roguish charm is inescapable.

For fans of the original release, the ability to toggle the experience between its remastered and original presentation is fun, offering a fun sense of nostalgia. The remastered visuals are stunning and striking, feeling fun, slick and modern. Despite being 25 years old at heart, the fresh coat of paint makes Full Throttle Remastered feel like a 2020 release.

Blast from the past

Full Throttle Remastered is interesting and fun, appealing to newcomers and fans who have enjoyed this for over two decades. The brevity of the experience and the lack of any difficulty in regards to the puzzles may limit the satisfaction of players longing for more depth but there’s a charm to the simplicity, allowing players to simply soak in the experience with little in the way of challenge or distraction.

A cult classic in its own right, this title still holds up today and it’s easy to see why. The story is more layered than a game this simplistic has any right to be but the excellent pacing and accessibility compliment it perfectly. Full Throttle Remastered is a hell of a ride and there is no better way to experience it for the first time or relive it again.

+ Surprisingly layered story

+ Cast of characters

+ Slick art design

+ Toggle of original presentation

– Too short and easy

Games of DAYNE Rating

Developed by: Double Fine Productions

Published by: Xbox Game Studios

Release Date: October 29 2020

Platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC

Full Throttle Remastered is currently available as part of the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.

The post Full Throttle Remastered Review first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

With the twins again separated, a deep look within themselves and all that they’ve been through may be the only way for them to come together and accept their past, present and future.

Tell Me Why‘s third and final chapter, “Inheritance“, has the difficult task of wrapping up the emotionally charged narrative that has been building. Following the fallout of the twins at the conclusion of “Family Secrets“, the strength of their rekindled bond is put to the ultimate test. Facing challenges with closure, acceptance and forgiveness to name just a few, Tyler and Alyson have a lot of growing to do within this 2-3 hour affair. DONTNOD once again deliver a story that is driven by heart.

After a pair of chapters that leaned more heavily into Tyler, Alyson finally receives some of the much needed spotlight to flesh her out with the same depth as has been afforded to her brother. Alsyon’s growth unsurprisingly highlights the additional strength she has through her relationship with a Tyler. Their bond is far more than the ability to communicate telepathically or to see visualisations of their childhood memories. Their bond is the strength they have when they are close and work in unison. This depth to Alyson was sorely needed and it plays out without compromising Tyler.

As with previous outings, Tell Me Why again tasks the player with exploring and interacting within a handful of environments. The puzzle solving returns and highlights the effectiveness of combining the storytelling elements from the Book of Goblins with the solutions to the puzzles. The Book of Goblins has consistently served as a fun illustrated/animated representation of their twins rife with imagination. It’s strength though lies in its direct correlation to the gameplay and the present day narrative.

All of the decisions that have paved the way for minor or major narrative direction changes pay off in a handful of ways in this finale. While some may bear little impact on the over-arching story, there are some key decisions that heavily influence which ending will be received. The replayability of these decision driven games extend to witnessing all possible outcomes and Tell Me Why is well worth revisiting to see how things can alternatively play out.

The conclusion to this trilogy of drama and self-discovery is going to surprise many with it’s grounded yet logical approach. With the tragedy fully understood, the player is no different to the twins in needing a moment to let it sink in and properly process what it all actually means. It’s powerful and feels more appropriate than an encounter with a big bad of sorts. The villain of Tell Me Why isn’t a person, it’s not even the memory of their mother. The true villain is their past and the inescapable grip it has had over the twins for a decade. Moving on and healing is the only way to defeat this type of villain and DONTNOD have emphatically delivered this message with its masterful closing moments.

The voice acting is as emotional as ever for this closing act to the trilogy and each character feels genuine and authentic. The score is beautiful and serves to powerfully enhance the most emotional of moments.

The visual inconsistencies are again present, offering moments of stunning visual beauty in some of the environmental design while the moment to moment gameplay areas and assets suffer. The characters again feel rather stiff and wooden but for the most part the emotion of the scene makes this easier to overlook.

Overcoming pacing issues and an initial imbalance between Tyler and Alyson’s emotional depth are worth it in the end. The spiritual and emotional journey that we have experienced alongside the twins is powerful and thought provoking. The added dimension of Tyler becoming the man he is today compared to the little girl he was as a child brings a depth that changes the narrative in a way that might not work if not for his transition. Tell Me Why delicately handles this topic in a way that brings awareness to the unique challenges Tyler has faced and will continue to face throughout his life. There’s no agenda, no ulterior motive, just a genuine exploration of an individual empowered by his own sense of self-identity.

Tyler and Alyson have been through a lot. From the tragic events that led to their separation, the personal growth and challenges they faced throughout their ten years apart and the handful of days reunited at their childhood home in Delos Crossing, they have been cursed with pain and regret. By uncovering the true nature of the series of events that led to the loss of their mother, the twins can finally move on. How exactly they do that however is in your hands.

Final Verdict:

+ Emotionally resonating conclusion

+ Alyson finally gets some depth and attention

+ The dimension brought to the bond of the twins

+ The Book of Goblins use in puzzle solving

– Inconsistent visuals and animations

Games of DAYNE Rating

Developed by: DONTNOD

Published by: Xbox Game Studios

Release Date: September 10 2020

Platforms: Xbox One and PC

All three chapters of Tell Me Why are available on Xbox Game Pass.

The post Tell Me Why – Chapter Three “Inheritance” Review first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

Unable to escape their past, Tyler and Alyson continue to dig up new secrets. Discovering more questions than answers, the harrowing family tragedy continues to torment the twins.

The tale of the teenage Ronan Twins continues in Tell Me Why’s second chapter, “Family Secrets”. Releasing just one week after the first chapter titled “Homecoming“, this middle child chapter of the trilogy sees Tyler and Alyson dig even deeper into their past in the sleepy Alaskan town of Delos Crossing. After an excellent first chapter that delivered strong character development, an interesting story and gameplay that felt meaningful, “Family Secrets” fails to maintain the momentum with tedious objectives within its gameplay.

A brief recap of the events of the previous episode kicks of this second chapter, first with the cool artistic spin of their crafty goblins characters from their childhood before reality sets in and the harrowing final moments are caught up with the in-game engine cinematics. The emotional climax of “Homecoming” sets in, the tragedy that set the twins on a decade of separation has been witnessed and countless new questions have been raised.

Unfortunately, “Family Secrets” is in no hurry to continue with the momentum of this moment. Instead, a playful scene unfolds inter-cutting from the twins playing as children chasing each other around the house with them reliving those memories in the present day. It’s a fun scene that highlights the bond they shared as children, rekindled even after a decade apart at the cost of pushing the revelations from the prior episode’s cliffhanger forward immediately. Perhaps this is decision was for the best. Affording players the time to let these events marinade and continue to digest before thrusting us into more emotional turmoil through the eyes of the twins.

The gameplay this time around felt monotonous and tedious, the constant walking around and interacting didn’t carry the same sense of purpose as the premiere chapter, leaving players hanging for the next cutscene to provide more meaningful moments of exploration of these characters, their past and their future. The supporting characters feel lacking in purpose in this chapter with the exception of Tessa. Her relationship with the twins’ mother Mary-Ann takes centre stage for the bulk of the experience, putting the player in the position to sympathise and forgive or to condemn.

A similar opportunity presents itself with Alyson’s Police Chief guardian, Uncle Eddy Brown. Eddy remains unlikeable despite his intentions both past and present. His stiff and wooden personality and lack of charisma make it difficult to feel for him as a character, in stark contrast to Tessa who feels genuine and carries authentic guilt.

The bond of the twins continues within the gameplay, again allowing the twins to relive visualisations of their memories as children to uncover clues in regards to character relationships and events. Their telepathic bond is put on display in some moments that truly feel more powerful instead of the spoken word. Despite any inconsistencies “Family Secrets” unearths with its gameplay variety and tedium, the connection between the twins comes across as stronger emotionally. With a continued primary focus on Tyler as far as gameplay is concerned, Alyson again fails to develop the same level of attachment as Tyler. I want to like Alyson more, I sympathise with her experiences and her emotions but she just doesn’t feel as important or as meaningful as Tyler yet, a feeling I am hoping changes in the third and final chapter.

The scenery continues to stun in certain moments with the visuals overall remain a little stiff and bland. The imagery of the fog setting in amidst the snow-capped peaks of the horizon is truly striking, it’s a shame these types of moments of visual awe are limited to a handful of cinematic scenes as opposed to being a genuine beauty throughout the playable sequences.

The emotional performance of Tessa and Tyler in particular steal the show, with each character given several opportunities to win the sympathy of the players. The voice acting across the board is consistent, lending towards the believability of their characters.

“Family Secrets” struggles to maintain the pace or charm of “Homecoming” but manages to deliver some moments that show glimpses of the narrative excellence witnessed a week prior. Tell Me Why’s second chapter might not hit all of the highs we’ve seen that it can accomplish, including an ending that pales in comparison to the jaw-dropping conclusion of the first chapter but the core story remains interesting and engaging. Tyler and Alyson still have questions that need answered and from the perspective of the player, it’s worth sticking around for.

Final Verdict:

+ Some excellent character moments for Tyler and Tessa

+ Story builds upon its intriguing premise with purpose

– Momentum crashes to a halt

– Gameplay sequences are tedious

– Supporting characters fail to feel more meaningful

Games of DAYNE Rating

Developed by: DONTNOD
Published by: Xbox Game Studios
Release Date: September 4 2020
Platforms: Xbox One and PC

Tell Me Why – Chapter Two “Family Secrets” is available on Xbox Game Pass along with Chapter One “Homecoming” and Chapter Three “Inheritance”.

The post Tell Me Why – Chapter Two “Family Secrets” first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

Twins divided by a childhood tragedy reunite for an emotional and heart-wrenching journey, changing everything they thought they knew.

From its intriguing opening moments through until its heart wrenching conclusion, the first chapter of Tell Me Why titled “Homecoming” proves once again that developer DONTNOD are experts in the field of interactive adventures that can pull the strings of every emotion of its players. An emotional story, check. An interesting take on the bond behind twins, check. This premiere chapter ticks the right boxes and by releasing the other 2 chapters this episodic adventure only one week apart, there’s just enough time in between to wrap our heads around what’s to come and based on this start, we’ll need it. Let me tell you why.

Twins Alyson and Tyler Ronan are at the forefront of Tell Me Why, with each character taking turns sharing the playable spotlight. Having been separated for over 10 years due to a traumatic family tragedy, the twins finally reunite to travel back to their childhood home in Alaska in preparation for its sale. When the twins were separated after the events of the tragedy, they were done so as sisters. In the decade that has passed, Tyler has transitioned to male. The twins carry such enormous emotional weight in this narrative and surprisingly it doesn’t collapse under its own pressure. The heavy material is a lot to take in and Tyler’s transition is instrumental to the motivations of the key characters involved, before and after.

The relationship of the twins and the lives they’ve lead since their separation paints the narrative with small but impactful strokes as they traverse the gorgeous Alaskan landscape on a ferry. Their bond is undeniable but it’s not until they make their homecoming that the literal and, luckily for players, playable manifestation of their bond changes the way these characters and the players experience their story. The bond shared between twins is amplified in Tell Me Why, with the two able to telepathically commune in what they call their “voice”, thought to be long lost since their childhood.

Referring to their mother as Mary Ann, the twins begrudgingly have to revisit the events that led to their separation a decade ago and her involvement serves as the catalyst for the shape their lives have since taken. To avoid spoilers there will be no specifics referenced here but it is worth noting she plays a significant part and has an emotional presence that is long lasting with the twins and likely the player.

With a hell of a premise and interesting take on the bond shared between twins, the gameplay itself feels familiar for fans of DONTNOD’s previous outings in Life is Strange. Alternating between Tyler and Alyson at predetermined intervals and walking around fairly explorable environments littered with items of interest to interact with comprise the bulk of the gameplay. These interactions offer anywhere in between a line of dialogue to a meaningful moment of self-reflection. Progressing the story is typically driven by interaction with a particular item that transitions seamlessly between gameplay and cinematics.

There are a handful of opportunities for the twins to trigger memories, significant emotional moments from their past that their bond allows for them to both witness. Their childhood selves and other characters are reanimated with a spectral, particle like effect that play out scenes from their past. Later in the chapter the introduction of which twins perspective is the “true” version of events allows for some interesting alternative scenarios which can be explored via replaying the story or chapter select.

The scenery on display is absolutely stunning and the ferry trip in particular is striking. The snow capped mountain backdrop breathes life and depth to the world DONTNOD are emotionally building. The character models themselves are impressive though the lip sync issues between the facial animations and dialogue persist throughout without relent and constantly distract. As with the Life is Strange series, an emotional score adds weight to the heavy themes of the narrative, powerfully moving the hardest hitting of sequences into more definitive moments of poignance.

The themes are unashamedly heavy and it’s difficult to see where Tyler’s transition may come into play in terms of prejudice or misunderstanding as these are only briefly touched upon in “Homecoming”. Explicit language is not uncommon either and the overall presentation is certainly mature to say the least.

Tell Me Why’s first chapter does an incredible job in establishing a connection to the characters though admittedly Alyson isn’t given the same depth as Tyler. This is ok. The events of the past are significantly focused on Tyler’s wrestle with his identity, a struggle that proves more difficult for those around him. This seems to be Tyler’s story and with what players get to experience in this 2-3 hour premiere, that is far from a bad thing. There is so much story to tell on the rest of the twins’ journey which will likely include room for Alyson to find her feet a little more. With only one week between each of the 3 chapters, it feels like a smart move to allow this breathing room as the complete experience, if “Homecoming” is anything to go by, has the potential to emotionally overwhelm with its raw power.

Final Verdict:

+ Stunning environmental detail
+ The Ronan twins are excellently fleshed out
+ Handling of Tyler’s identity
+ Gripping emotional story
– Gameplay fails to engage between the story

Games of DAYNE Rating

Developed by: DONTNOD

Published by: Xbox Game Studios

Release Date: August 27 2020

Platforms: Xbox One

Tell Me Why – Chapter One “Homecoming” is also available with Xbox Game Pass.
Chapter Two and Three will each release one week apart on September 3 and 10.

The post Tell Me Why – Chapter One “Homecoming” Review first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

*Disclaimer: This review was originally written as a member for One More Game and Xbox Gamer Dad, edited by co-founder Adam Potts and/or founder Matt Brook. A review code for this title was provided by OMG/XBGD. This review was written from my perspective with editor input. Click HERE to read this review as originally published on onemoregame.com.au*

It has been five years since the Moon Studios developed Ori and the Blind Forest leapt its way exclusively onto our Xbox and into our hearts. The visually charming platform-adventure starred Ori, a white guardian spirit nursed as an infant by Naru, a bubbly bear like creature that adopted Ori as her own. With new friends in tow, Ori and Naru are back in Ori and the Will of the Wisps and this sequel has taken every concept from the original and expanded on it across the board. It is bigger, better and more expansive than the original in all aspects of its gameplay mechanics and platforming. 

Ori’s second adventure kicks off in similar fashion to the original, offering a brief tutorial to familiarise the player with the basic elements of gameplay before quickly setting the scene for the emotional roller coaster of a story with heart wrenching themes of family, abandonment and acceptance. The world building that is established is flawlessly executed, providing insight into not just the larger mythology and Ori’s background but that of its ultimately sympathetic antagonist as well. Corruption is a significant motif that is regularly reinforced from a character and geographical point of view. 

The gameplay this time around is significantly more in depth than its predecessor but by no means does this detract from the accessibility. Combat in particular is a feature that has been heavily overhauled to provide the player with a wide range of skills to be allocated to the X, B and Y buttons. Including a close range attack such as a slash of light with the long range bow or spear diversifies the players arsenal enough to be able to tackle a number of the different enemy types. Ranging from the likes of flying, wall-bound, pouncing and spitting enemies to just to name a few, the assortment of threats to Ori has also increased in number and are all well designed. 

Some skills are awarded with story progression, while others can be purchased from the newly introduced merchants scattered throughout the lands. Collecting orange orbs of light act as the currency for these exchanges and specific merchants will even accept them as payment in return for upgrading these skills and one sells maps to uncover each of the explorable areas. The inclusion of merchants is a simple yet major change for the series but as with everything else new in this sequel, it works. 

Passive abilities can also be found and purchased, and depending on how many slots are unlocked, they can be equipped and changed at any time to offer some stat boosts such as more damage dealt, less damage taken and the automatic collection of health, energy and light orbs from defeated enemies. 

The platforming in the series has always been very good, but now it is more enjoyable and dynamic than ever before. Leaping from solid surfaces to a wall before launching into the air and dashing for instance is fluid and easy to execute. Later areas require specific skills in order to progress, which can be found at special trees hidden in each area. It can be frustrating to spend so long trying to make it to a certain place and failing time and time again until the realisation kicks in that there must be something to help with this. Once this lesson is learned once or twice the hard way, it should not take many attempts to figure out you need a new ability and redirect your attention to finding it instead of trying to reach what is essentially not reachable without it. Some of the environmental puzzles that need to be solved to either progress or to find special health or energy cells that increase the players health and energy bars respectively can be fairly frustrating and difficult with timing. As with the platforming, the appropriate skills make this easier later in the game, as does familiarity with the types of puzzles encountered. 

Side quests also make their way into Ori’s latest outing, with characters littered throughout the world to be interacted with. Triggering a side quest will pin its approximate location on the map that can be tracked. Upon completion, backtracking to the quest giver will either reward the player with spendable light orbs or trigger an additional objective to be completed. These are simple but due to the backtracking nature of them all, they can be a little time consuming. The light wells from the first entry make a return and when activated can be used as points to fast travel to from anywhere in the game. This alleviates some of the tedium though not until enough of these light wells have been unlocked. 

By removing the Soul Link feature from the original that acted as manual saves at the cost of energy, this game relies exclusively on a pretty generous auto-save system, although there are times where death may require the player to replay some of the longer and more difficult sections. The ability to save manually is a feature that would remove some of the frustration in some of the longer scenarios. 

The enchanting and playful art style is mesmerising and it makes it easy to draw the player’s attention away from the task at hand in order to absorb the visual charm that is present in every aspect of the presentation. The environment is immaculately detailed and even in the darker and duller coloured areas there are elements that remain vibrant. The world is a wonderland, so unique that it is difficult to think of another that feels so alive. 

The score is absolutely beautiful, perfectly complimenting the dramatic and emotional narrative beats that at times overshadow the cinematics and sequences themselves. The contrasting harmonic melodies and ominous tones set a manner that give the gorgeous visuals a run for their money when it comes to establishing a scene or a single moment. 

Some darker themes may be present but this is a title playable for children, although some of the puzzles and platforming may be a little difficult. Not unlike films such as The Lion King or The Land Before Time there are moments that younger players may not understand but there is no content that would otherwise alienate the experience. This title can be paused at any time, which is perfect for those who need to drop in and out for any reason. 

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the definition of a sequel that succeeds, taking a formula that worked and expanding it in a way that enhances the overall experience. The execution of the new gameplay mechanics is seamlessly integrated via simple tutorials that don’t restrict the accessibility. Raising the bar in a genre as popular and established as platforming is no small feat but it is one that Ori and the Will of the Wisps has masterfully accomplished. 

Final Verdict: 

+ Incredibly mesmerising and charming art style 

+ Heart-touching story

+ Emotionally moving score 

+ Excellent gameplay and platforming 

– Removal of a manual save system 

Score: 5

Games of DAYNE Rating

Developed by: Moon Studios

Published by: Xbox Game Studios

Release Date: March 11 2020

Platforms: Xbox One and PC

* Ori and the Will of the Wisps is available on Xbox Game Pass *

The post Ori and the Will of the Wisps Review first appeared on Games of DAYNE.