Taking place in a mystical world, Mask of Mists puts the player on the path of tracking down a missing mage. Basic platforming and simplistic combat accompany the core gameplay experience and exploration of the world in search of ingredients to craft potions, statues to collect and puzzles to solve.

Having originally launched on the Xbox One in September last year, Mask of Mists is back and this time it has been optimised for the Xbox Series X|S consoles. The sharper visuals and ridiculously fast load times in particular are immediately noticeable for players of the original release.

The opening dialogue establishes the premise and outside of it the story is limited to its pair of alternate endings at the end of the one-to-two-hour affair. There are no cutscenes, no characters to interact with and dialogue to be exchanged. Mask of Mists substitutes story for a series of puzzles that are essentially fetch quests. Finding items to access new areas or to craft things to progress is the essential flow of the gameplay.

The introduction of basic combat using a sword and eventually a pistol keep things simple, emphasising the focus of puzzle solving and exploration over a more meaningful system to combat the sludge monsters and dangerous vegetation that roam the fantastical land and ancient ruins.

Featuring dungeons, caves, houses, and ruins to explore, the world is a respectable size and non-linear in its structure. There are no waypoints, objectives, or indications of any kind where the player needs to go, instead progression is driven by the obstacle the player comes across, such as a locked gate, and the logical thought process of the player seeing slots for statues for example, or a towering tree that looks about the exact size of a gap that needs crossing will lead them in search of an axe.

Some logic and lateral thinking are certainly required to progress, and this may make the experience more challenging for casual players or those seeking a linear, guided experience. The explorable areas aren’t particularly large though they are open enough to disorientate.

Automatically running, dashing and jumping are the means of player traversal and there aren’t many instances where jumping is required and the intended use of the dash is for some toxic environments to be passed quickly before it damages and ultimately kills the player though it is an invaluable tool to spam with the constant backtracking required, speeding up the process of getting from A to B. Interacting with levers is the primary form of puzzle solving in the dungeons which are all set within gorgeous temples. Pressure plates, hidden switches and a few other tricks keep the puzzle solving situations in the labyrinthian ruins interesting.

The environment ranges from the interior and exterior of ancient ruins, deadly caverns, and a surprisingly supernatural landscape in the final act. Each of these areas look great, full of various hazards yet a sense of emptiness is ever-present that feels both fitting and a little disappointing at the same time. With such few enemies or other meaningful points of interest the landscape comes across as little more than a thoroughfare.

The music feels magical and light throughout, pleasant, and relaxing. The sound design is just as soothing and helps instil calm when frustration with puzzles or getting lost likely kick in. The visuals are simplistic and fun, reminiscent of similar titles in the genre. The final act of the game in particular stands out with its contrasting aesthetic when compared to those that preceded it.

Mask of Mists is a relatively straightforward experience full of puzzles to solve that may or may not be considered difficult, almost entirely dependent on exploration and consultation with collected scrolls for clues. My first playthrough took nearly 2 hours, getting lost and failing to look at collected clues being the largest culprit for the length while my second playthrough took just over an hour.

It’s a brief experience regardless and is likely to satisfy those that enjoy puzzle solving while casual players of the genre may get frustrated or simply lack interest. As a fan of the genre, Mask of Mists mostly succeeds but its lack of purpose and narrative restrict it from feeling more than busy work.

+ Surprising size of the explorable environment

+ Final act has a fun visual twist

+ Clever puzzles

– Story essentially absent outside of intro

– A LOT of backtracking

– Pretty disorienting

Developed by: 9 Eyes Game Studio

Published by: Sometimes You

Release Date: August 25 2021

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S

* A digital code was kindly provided by the Publisher for the purpose of this review *

– Additional Links –

For more of my reviews, click HERE.

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All digital photography was captured in-game on Xbox Series X by Games of DAYNE

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The long-awaited arrival of the Wakandan king and his kingdom have finally arrived in the War for Wakanda expansion in Marvel’s Avengers. Black Panther takes centre stage in the largest single content drop since the launch of Marvel’s Avengers last September (review HERE).

New enemy types, two new villains in the form of Ulysses Klaw and Crossbones, a stunning new biome set in the futuristic, hidden African city of Wakanda and Black Panther himself offer enough variety to reinvigorate the game and steer away from the repetition of the locations exhausted by players for nearly a year. Packed with dozens of outfits, unique gameplay, and his own skill tree to master, Black Panther goes a long way in ensuring the players embrace Wakanda… forever.

Black Panther is introduced in an exciting opening mission that sees Ulysses Klaw laying siege to the Wakandan capital with his own special forces, a varied and challenging new assortment of enemies that bring new offensive and defensive abilities that require a little more strategy than simply button mashing.

Klaw wants Wakanda’s vibranium, aware his black-market variant isn’t worth as much as the real deal, and has aligned with the emergent villain of the Marvel’s Avengers campaign, Monica Rappaccini, to bring war to Wakanda. Accompanied by Brock Rumlow, better known as Crossbones, the duo provides an exciting challenge for the Avengers including an epic boss battle against both of them at the end of the disappointingly short main mission chain of the expansion.

As with Kate Bishop’s Operation: Taking AIM (review HERE) and Hawkeye’s Operation: Future Imperfect (review HERE), Black Panther’s War for Wakanda main mission chain takes just a scratch over an hour and a half. The story it tells in that brief window is excellent however, showcasing the sibling relationship of Black Panther’s King T’Challa and Shuri, the loyalty of his commander Okoye and connection to his people he swears to protect. The relationships of T’Challa, including with his nemesis Klaw, are the backbone of the story and are wonderfully fleshed out considering the criminally short runtime.

Luckily, the fun doesn’t stop with the main mission chain and the handful of missions that comprise it. Black Panther has his own iconic mission chain to complete which awards players an awesome regal attire for T’Challa and there are plenty of other war zone missions to tackle solo or with up to three other players in co-op. Thanks to a recent update to Marvel’s Avengers, gone are the days where a Strike Team of up to four players could only have one of a given character, now a whole team of Black Panthers can take the fight to Klaw so everyone can enjoy the exciting new gameplay of the Wakandan icon.

Black Panther feels incredibly unique, his swift and furious clawed melee combat is a blast to experiment with, combining his ranged dagger attacks and making the most of his vibranium infused heroic abilities to unleash punishment in an exciting fresh fashion.

The heroic abilities can be upgraded to unlock some awesome variants such as the summoning of two Wakandan warrior spirits to the fight, accompanying the giant spirit Panther that lays waste to all foes in its forward trajectory while also providing an impressive buff to Panther himself for a limited duration.

Very surprisingly, combat isn’t the only strong suit for Black Panther with his traversal game being just as exciting. Joining Captain America as the only other current hero that can double jump and wall run, Black Panther puts his own spin on these with his style and the scraping of the rock face by his vibranium claws as he crosses them.

Developer Crystal Dynamics have managed to flex their muscle in the ancient ruins department by creating some stunning caverns and platforming sequences that are reminiscent of their iconic work on the rebooted Tomb Raider trilogy. New and challenging environmental puzzles that would be suitable for Lara Croft herself have been introduced for T’Challa to master and the genuine head scratching a few of them are likely to cause are a much-needed breath of fresh air to those already in place in the base game.

The entire biome of Wakanda feels so exciting and different, brought to life in such stunning detail that it genuinely feels like its own game. Loaded with ruins, new building types, a complete makeover for every interactive object such as loot chests, health canisters and containers that house resources all have a Wakandan flavour that feels authentic to the region they inhabit.

The new Wakandan outpost is no exception. By far the most visually impressive and meticulously detailed outpost to date, Wakanda’s is full of Black Panther’s army that salute him as he walks past, the most intelligent minds of the city working on the hyper-futuristic technology on display in every room and includes the ritual chambers of his spiritual elders. The detail is incredible, and the immersion is unlike anything else established in Marvel’s Avengers so far.

Unfortunately for players bored of the base game’s primary antagonistic force, A.I.M.bots are back too, bringing the same android enemy variants players have defeated thousands of times. Their return undermines the unique haven and fresh concepts that Wakanda otherwise delivers spectacularly. One of the new enemy types introduced are small, medium, and large sized spider bots that unfortunately aren’t what players are looking for.

Androids and robotic enemy types have overwhelmed Marvel’s Avengers enemy offering since the beginning so it’s a genuine shame to see another variant added. To further drive home the point of “here is something new but also kind of the same” is a large mech that is pretty much the same as the large dreadbots from the main game. The method to defeating it is slightly different, but the similarities can’t be ignored. Attacking red points on the feet that reveal further weak points and when they do have been triggered a final device is exposed and ready to be destroyed to reduce the giant mech to scrap.

It’s such a shame to see slightly different versions of the key repetitive enemies we already have. The inclusion of A.I.M.bots, the introduction of the spider droids and the slightly-different-but-still-too-similar-to-dreadbots F.U.S.E. mech enemies are the weakest link in War for Wakanda. Unsurprisingly, everything else works so well because it’s new and fresh.

Wakanda is so beautiful to take in, by far offering the most striking landscapes to explore and the stunning attention to detail in the caverns and ruins adorned with Panther statues and symbolic imagery of the Wakandan’s is simply breathtaking. The tribal score and bits infusion of upbeat and energetic modern music are epic and add layers of tension to each enemy and boss encounter.

War for Wakanda is exactly what Marvel’s Avengers needed. Bringing the most exciting and enjoyable new hero into the fold with Black Panther, introducing a visual marvel of an outpost an incredibly fresh new biome, this is what players have been asking for. New characters, new locations, and new ideas and with the exception of the tiring A.I.M. inclusion, War for Wakanda hits the spot.

+ BLACK. PANTHER.

+ Wakanda as a biome

+ Great story

 – A.I.M.bots and rehashed ideas

 – Main mission story is far too short

Developed by: Crystal Dynamics

Published by: Square Enix

Release Date: August 17 2021

Platforms: Xbox One/Series X|S, PlayStation 4/5 and PC

* The War for Wakanda expansion, and ALL additional heroes are available at no additional cost on all platforms *

– Additional Links –

For more of my reviews, click HERE.

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

For this and additional reviews, latest news, trailers and more from the rest of the team at Xbox Gamer Dad and One More Game, click HERE.

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All digital photography was captured in-game on Xbox Series X by Games of DAYNE

The post Marvel’s Avengers: War for Wakanda (Expansion) Review first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

Cosmic Top Secret is many things. For one, it is the name of the video game this review focuses on but that itself is not even as simple as it seems. This game is an autobiographical adventure somewhat inspired by director Trine Laier’s actual investigation into the past of her parents, specifically her father’s past in Danish Intelligence during the Cold War. Portrayed in game simply as “T”, the player’s journey is largely educational and surprisingly thought provoking on a personal level.

Quirky art design playfully disarms the player on this journey of self-discovery for “T”. The hybrid paper cut-out/3D world design makes for a striking and enjoyable feast for the eyes that somehow manages not to undermine the seriousness of the autobiographical adventure.

A little bit of Google education informed me that the term Cosmic Top Secret is actually a real-world term, used to represent the highest level of security classification within NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation). See? Video games and of course my reviews, can be considered educational assets.

On the educational front the player is given a glimpse into the handling and protection of confidential information throughout the Cold War. There’s not going to be any groundbreaking revelations or, if you’ll excuse the pun, Cosmic Top Secret information revealed in this video game but the fascinating insight into how people acted with this information is genuinely interesting. The perspective of “T” growing up with parents devoted to this highly secretive line of work is genuinely well-realised and has translated to this interactive format in a way that brings levity to the situation, despite the highly political nature of the work.

Cosmic Top Secret is absolutely riddled with real photographs, interviews and video clips that are cleverly integrated into the game world, presenting what feels more like an interactive autobiography rather than an actual video game, and that by no means downplays the cleverness of its execution. The game world is interesting to describe as it feels like a blend of platforming within 3D environments with some light puzzle solving and collectibles to find while also offering some cool gameplay segments such as throwing grenades, putting your body back together and even flying a paper plane. Plenty of secrets and things to find are present in the open-ended level design and the facts, as well as the format they are presented, are interesting and worth going out of the way for.

Traversal in Cosmic Top Secret, like everything else, is unique. “T” scrunches into a ball of paper to roll around the map, able to jump and interact with various things within the environment.  The platforming can be a little hit or miss due to the somewhat fidgety controls and aiming but these scenarios are certainly fewer and further between than the core gameplay itself. Puzzles are fun and rightfully challenging in some cases such as tasking the player with going through intel to determine sequences. Luckily the hints provided eliminate frustration and keep the puzzles accessible for casual players, a welcome addition to keep the educational adventure interesting and flowing smoothly.

Each chapter has the player gathering nine pieces of intel and having to decipher a nine digit number. Most of the numbers are obvious but some hidden behind simple puzzles that are essentially handed to the player with a little observation or listening in some instances. The map of each level is laid out like co-ordinates, broken into letters and numbers. For example, grid B2 might be the home to a clue and the player can see their current whereabouts on screen at all times or can access the map for further clarity. As the next objective is extremely visible thanks to visual cues it is pretty obvious in most cases where to go, rarely it may be hidden behind something obstructing the cue.

Cosmic Top Secret challenges the statement of video games as art. Despite this story being perfectly suitable as an actual autobiography or a documentary perhaps the innovative approach to its adaptation as a video game cleverly blurs the lines between historical lecture and interactive adventure. This deep dive behind the scenes of Intelligence agents during the Cold War could easily have felt heavy and perhaps too political but the fun art design and clever gameplay do a lot of the heavy lifting, lightening the tone and balancing fun with education. Quirky art design, intelligent content and simplistic gameplay come together effectively in this undeniably unique experience that offers insight into one of the world’s most challenging historical periods from the perspective of a family caught right in the middle of it.

+ Unique visual presentation

+ Clever premise and execution of story

+ Interesting subject matter and historical context

+ Accessible puzzles and hints/visual cues

– Platforming is fidgety

– Minimal replay value

Developed by: Klassefilm, Those Eyes

Published by: Nakana.io

Release Date: May 21 2021

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

 * A digital code was kindly provided by the Publisher for the purpose of this review *

– Additional Links –

For more of my reviews, click HERE.

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

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All digital photography was captured in-game on Xbox Series X by Games of DAYNE

The post Cosmic Top Secret Review first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

There’s something very satisfying and relaxing about being presented a train station in complete disarray and tasked with cleaning, repairing and restoring it. Train Station Renovation is exactly as described. From removing all litter, tearing down broken benches and clearing cob webs, there is no shortage of tasks to keep players busy as they attempt to restore the stations to newfound glory.

With an array of tools at your disposal, accessible via an inventory wheel, the job is simple. Renovate the train station. On top of the chores mentioned earlier there’s graffiti clean, broken walls to fix, floors to clean and so much more. Each tool has a specific purpose, for example, the sponge is used to wash graffiti, the crowbar is required to dismantle broken benches and windows and the broom to sweep or remove the cob webs from the corners of rooms. Understanding the tools and the types of cleaning tasks becomes second nature before long and the cleaning aspect of each train station, which act as level equivalents, becomes simple.

There are several different types of cleaning that is required and this carries over through each of the train stations. Repetition certainly sets in but the zen-like quality of the exercise keeps it from becoming overwhelming, especially with the relaxing score playing in the background. A scan function can be used at any time to highlight objects within the environment that need cleaned. Some can be somewhat obscured but there’s little need to actually use this feature if care is taken when exploring each station.

Restoring a broken station requires more than cleaning. An instantly accessible in-game digital store front is available that allows players to buy waiting benches, interior decorations, computers, chairs and outdoor accessories for instance. Money is earned by cleaning previous stations and accumulated with progression. It’s oddly satisfying getting to showcase your potentially hidden flare for interior design and restoring these stations in a manner that’s appealing to you, the player.

Aside from actually cleaning and restoring the train stations each one has a small but unique objective chain that can be as simple as restoring power or draining a flooded area. The instructions keep it simple and the tasks can be completed pretty quickly. It’s nice to have a little structure to each level but cleaning and placing new items comprise the bulk of the experience, more of those little objective chains would certainly have helped break it up a little more.

While renovating each station there are various visual indicators that represent different types of cleaning such as general rubbish, graffiti and debris. As the specific types of cleaning is carried out these gradually increase and contribute to an overall level completion bar that awards one to three stars. Each star awards more money when choosing to complete the level, which can only be done when at least one star has been attained, and new special tools.

The visuals are very basic and simplistic, a little rough around the edges both environmentally and in regards to the objects that inhabit the stations. The simplicity works with the basic gameplay elements however and fail to distract. A relaxing, almost meditative score is a welcome addition to a game that focuses on cleaning. It works well and contributes to an overall relaxing presentation and experience.

Train Station Renovation may not appeal to everyone as the core gameplay experience is simply cleaning and decorating. I personally found satisfaction in clearing out the messes and enjoyed it more than I expected, pleasantly surprised by the casual and calming vibe the game presents. For those who enjoy taking pride in their labour and visual gratification of their work, Train Station Renovation is a pleasant cleaning simulator while players looking for a little more structure and variation will likely not find the appeal.

+ Oddly satisfying gameplay

+ Variety of tools and tasks to apply them to

+ Relaxing score

– Very repetitive

– Level design is very similar

– Unique tasks are too easy, more would have been welcome

Developed by: Live Motion Games

Published by: Ultimate Games

Release Date: June 2 2021

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

 * A digital code was kindly provided by the Publisher for the purpose of this review *

– Additional Links –

For more of my reviews, click HERE.

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

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The post Train Station Renovation Review first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

The post Just Die Already Review first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

On November 20 2007 Mass Effect launched exclusively on Xbox 360. At the time it was a fresh science fiction space opera take on the RPG genre. Five years and two sequels later the trilogy was available on Xbox, PlayStation and PC and would become one of the most beloved series of the genre by millions.

Developed by BioWare, the series has managed to maintain relevance for nearly a decade and a half and while 2017’s Mass Effect: Andromeda didn’t quite have the same impact as the original trilogy, the franchise name and value has never been more important. With the launch of Mass Effect: Legendary Edition new and returning players alike can enjoy the adventure and exploits of Commander Shepard, YOUR Commander Shepard, and take their custom character through all three games with the choices and consequences carrying across the intergalactic space odyssey.

With significant visual, technical and performance enhancements, particularly for the first Mass Effect, the trilogy has never looked or played better and with the inclusion of all but one of the over 40 DLC packs that would go on to be released, Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is not only the definite way to play the series, it is the definitive example of remaster excellence.

The original Mass Effect introduces an interesting and wonderfully fleshed out mythology and lore but most importantly it introduces players to Commander Shepard. Players can customise the gender, appearance and backstory of their Shepard as well as select from a handful of classes, each with unique abilities and proficiencies. From there Commander Shepard is lead on a journey laden with choices and of course the consequences of this choices. From branching dialogue, character relationships and key decisions that shape the narrative, players embark on a quest that is as personal to them as they are willing to make it by investing in the world and exploring all aspects of it physically and from a conversational, character engagement standpoint.

To briefly surmise the plot, Commander Shepard must lead an elite team to thwart the plans of Saren, a traitor from an alien race known as Turians, and his plans to facilitate the return of ancient mechanical race of beings known as Reapers. Responsible for the extermination of all sentient organic life in years gone by, the return of a Reaper fleet would see history repeat itself yet again and Commander Shepard will stop at nothing to prevent this.

A handful of characters can be recruited and customised, with two at a time able to be selected to accompany Shepard on story missions as well as the wealth of optional side missions. The relationships with these characters and decisions at key moments can influence their allegiance and loyalty to Shepard as well as their fate in some cases.

The gameplay in Mass Effect upon its original release was notably clunky and stiff, particularly the driving sequences featuring the Mako. Through cybernetic technology various abilities are accessible to the inhabits of the Mass Effect universe that include psionic abilities that could launch enemies into the air and dependent on which class the player chose various abilities are available to unlock and enhance. Blending these abilities with the decent gunplay which included elemental ammo types kept combat fun and engaging, diverse enough to encourage future replays in order to experiment all of the different combinations on offer.

Countless enhancements were made to the gameplay, visuals and overall performance of the original title in Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, bringing it more in line with the quality and fluidity of the pair of instalments that followed. Seemingly receiving more and honestly much needed attention, the original Mass Effect is easily the standout of the trilogy in terms of its evolution in this remastered collection.

Set shortly after the events of the first game, Mass Effect 2 wastes little time in setting the stage for a sequel more grand in scope as it dives deeper into the looming galactic conquest of the Reapers. Mass Effect 2 wonderfully incorporated the ability to import a save file from the previous title, allowing players to bring their Shepard and all of the choices, relationships and consequences forward and to the sequel. The option to start fresh with a newly created Shepard exists but it it would be a severely missed opportunity not to continue the saga with the same character.

Shepard’s ship, the Normandy SSV is attacked by an unknown vessel and the crew is forced to abandon ship, losing it in the process. Two years later, Shepard wakes, brought back from the brink of death by Cerberus. Mass Effect 2 largely sees Shepard building a larger team of new and familiar teammates to take the fight to the newly emerged threat known as the Collectors while also uncovering more about the Reapers, their history and potential re-emergence.

The closing mission of Mass Effect 2 is thrilling and more so than the previous entry has potentially tragic consequences based on a large number of critical decisions. The fate of the entire squad is up in the air, who lives and who dies is entirely dictated by the players actions, completion of particular missions and specific upgrades prior.

With clearly improved gameplay elements compared to the original, Mass Effect 2 introduced new ability types, modified the gear and loot system and generally improved in every way over its predecessor. In Mass Effect: Legendary Edition, as with the other two titles, various technical and performance improvements were made to recapture the magic of an experience that originally launched in 2010 and manages to make it look and feel much more modern. Arguably the greatest entry in the franchise to date, Mass Effect 2 is one of the most enjoyable and player driven RPGs of all time and understandably beloved by many.

Rounding out the original trilogy in 2012, Mass Effect 3 had to follow two excellent entires and wrap up the story of Commander Shepard and the war against the returning Reapers in an effort to prevent them from once again exterminating all sentient organic life. To much controversy the ending was poorly received by players and critics alike, so much so that an “Extended Cut” pack was added by Bioware to not replace the original ending but rather to expand upon it. Personally, the ending didn’t bother me, it managed to wrap up the story in my opinion, concluding a trilogy of dire conflict with monumental consequences likely to affect the franchise forever.

The stakes have never been higher in the series than in Mass Effect 3. A full-scale galactic Reaper invasion is underway with the reapers wiping out planets left, right and centre. Shepard is once again drawn into the conflict with new and recurring team mates to take the fight to the Reapers and save the universe from extermination. The opening mission instils a sense of hopelessness, insurmountable odds that have an emotional impact on the journey that follows to prevent the seemingly inevitable Reaper victory.

Some of the biggest decisions of the franchise exist in Mass Effect 3, on a character level and in regards to how the actual ending unfolds. The stakes have never felt higher, the cause have never felt more lost and the thought of triumph is squashed at nearly every turn. The story is tightly focused, interesting and depending on your interpretation of whether or not the trilogy is satisfyingly concluded, a rewarding culmination of five years and three entries of one of the greatest franchises to grace the genre.

Additional tweaks, improvements and substitutions to various gameplay elements are again present since Mass Effect 2 and the gameplay overall has never felt or played smoother. Concluding the journey with the same imported Commander Shepard is such a unique experience, carrying the weight of three titles worth of consequences and tackling near impossible odds to single handedly defeat the Reapers and put an end to their reign of terror once and for all.

What Mass Effect: Legendary Edition does above all is bring the quality and performance of three great titles that span nearly a decade and a half up to speed to more closely resemble more recent titles. For the most part it succeeds. While the visuals and animations are obviously not quite as slick as a new title released in 2021 it still manages to look amazing. The inclusion of a photo mode allows for some truly stunning captures that franchise veterans are likely to find themselves lost in.

It’s fun to witness the gradual evolution of the series from 2007’s Mass Effect through to 2012’s Mass Effect 3. The gameplay, loot, gear, squad and driving in particular change greatly with each release. Having over 40 pieces of DLC content thrown in as well that spans all three titles turns the trilogy into an experience that could keep players immersed in the incredibly interesting world for dozens of hours, and that’s not even taking into consideration additional playthroughs making alternate choices along the way or playing on harder difficulties. Content is certainly the one aspect this experience is not lacking.

Mass Effect: Legendary Edition is more than a remastered collection of a beloved trilogy of RPG’s, it’s a gateway for new players to enter a franchise they may have left behind due to fear of getting into their dated looks and mechanics. For returning players it’s the opportunity to relive the epic saga in a close-to-current gen state. Mass Effect has never been more accessible, more enjoyable and more exciting to think about in terms of it’s future prospects than in 2021 with Mass Effect: Legendary Edition.

+ Incredible branching narratives

+ Commander Shepard import from previous games

+ Choice and customisation

+ Sharp and stunning visuals

+ Amount of overall content

+ Replay value

– Gameplay and animations still feel dated

– Driving still isn’t fun

– Exclusion of Multiplayer component of Mass Effect 3

– Some plot points aren’t followed through in follow-up entries

Developed by: BioWare

Published by: EA

Release Date: May 14 2021

Platforms: Xbox One/Series X/S, PlayStation 4/5 and PC

– Additional Links –

For more of my reviews, click HERE.

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

For this and additional reviews, latest news, trailers and more from the rest of the team at Xbox Gamer Dad and One More Game, click HERE.

To see all the latest news and reviews from the team at Game News Aus, including this review, click HERE.

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All digital photography was captured in-game on Xbox Series X by Games of DAYNE

The post Mass Effect: Legendary Edition Review first appeared on Games of DAYNE.

Hood: Outlaws & Legends is a multiplayer-only PvPvE (Players vs Players vs Environment) action-stealth experience, pitting two teams of four players against each other as well as the AI enemy State Guards that patrol and defend the area. The objective is simple. Find the Sheriff and pickpocket his key, locate and open the vault, transport and extract the chest from the vault.

At any moment the player and team in possession of the key, carrying the chest or extracting it can be killed by the opposing player team or AI enemies, allowing the enemy team an opportunity to capitalise on the work of the other team. Combining stealth and action to complete the match, referred to as a Heist, requires teamwork and co-ordination as well as mastery of the four available characters and their respective classes to succeed. All are outlaws but some will become legends.

First and foremost it is important to reiterate that Hood: Outlaws & Legends is a multiplayer-exclusive experience, meaning it can only be played with a full team consisting of three other players and a full enemy team of four players. With this noted, at the time of writing (17 days after the official launch, intentionally held off for a few weeks to allow for updates) the matchmaking has improved since launch though the system itself is still with its flaws. Lengthy wait times still persist despite cross-play support which should in theory increase the pool of players to draw from to populate a Heist.

Unfortunately the waiting times can still be several minutes, in my experience waiting upwards of five minutes is a regular occurrence. When a full lobby finally eventuates there are further matchmaking issues in the form of level matching. There is no separation of high level players from lower level or new players, immediately creating uneven Heists where players who have been present since launch have a greater advantage due to their higher level characters, upgrades and perks. The absence of some sort of level grouping makes Heists difficult for new players.

Also absent is an AI squad-fill type system that allows for bots to comprise teams when matchmaking is proving difficult or even as an alternative for players who wish to experience Hood without the difficulty and pressures of multiplayer Heists. The inclusion of bot Heists would allow players to better familiarise themselves with each of the four characters and their abilities as well as offering a training ground to gain experience and be able to more competently hold their own in the unbalanced matchmaking system.

With the matchmaking and lack of bot support addressed, those issues alone comprise my only negative comments on Hood as the gameplay is genuinely fun, engaging and challenging, the latter is welcome with the exception of high level experienced players making life difficult for new players.

The Sheriff roams around the map, typically in an isolated area with AI guards nearby. Employing stealth tactics such as crouching and using the environment for cover, such as hiding behind objects or in the grass, to sneak up and pickpocket the key while avoiding detection from him, surrounding AI and the enemy team. Detection from the Sheriff will trigger him to pursue the player, which results in instantaneous death should he get his hands on a player, as well as alerting the nearby guards which will put the area into High Alert and into lockdown, closing any portcullises in the process and drawing the attention of other guards. The closure of portcullises will require the players to scale ladders, climb stairs or ropes or simply outrun their pursuers and break line of sight to escape being chased.

While in possession of the key a vault must then be found, opened, entered and the chest within it claimed. With the chest in hand a number of extraction points appear on screen, indicating how far away each of them are. The player carrying the chest moves extremely slowly and must be well guarded by their team in order to reach extraction safely all while keeping an eye on AI soldiers, the Sheriff and of course the opposing team.

The chest can be dropped in order to attack enemies at any time but doing so is risky as it makes it even easier for the enemy team to steal it without having to kill another player in order to do so. Reaching the extraction and placing the chest onto a winch system will initiate the endgame of a Heist.

A crank can be interacted with by one or two players to trigger the winch and begin to lift the chest, with two players doing so faster and the Melee class of characters bringing additional speed to the process. This brings up a notch display at the top of the screen, with all 7 notches having to be reached one at a time by staying at the wheel. At any moment players can be interrupted and killed by their enemies, allowing the opposing team to swoop in, continue the extraction from the most recent notch and potentially steal the win. This sequence is tense, thrilling, dramatic and incredibly rewarding when successful while devastating to lose control in the final moments and subsequently lose the Heist.

There are three capture points spread across the map, capturing these will turn them into respawn locations upon death. These are never more critical than when the chest comes into play when either team has extracted it from the vault. Paying attention to which capture points are in your team’s possession is essential to being able to control the battlefield during the chest extraction phase, reducing the travel distance upon death to return to the extraction point and interrupt or fend off the opposing team.

Completing Heists will award experience towards the player’s overall Player level as well as the individual character used for the Heist. There are four characters to choose from that each have their own unique weapons and abilities:

• Robin/The Ranger is an archer lethal at a distance but also effective up close by using his longbow as a melee weapon. Robin’s arrows can often be recollected after use and can be replenished by finding ammo boxes.
  • Trait – Scout, allowing him to survey the environment and tag targets for a prolonged duration
  • Ability – Farsight, channeling the forest’s power to draw an ethereal arrow that explodes on impact
  • Gear – Flash, blinding targets for a short duration within a small area using a volatile gunpowder mixture

• Marianne/The Hunter is an assassin that is extremely dangerous up-close and is effective at range with her burst fire crossbow.
  • Trait – Shadow, can perform an assassination on State Guards from any direct whilst concealed as opposed to directly from behind as with the other characters
  • Ability – Shroud, blending into surroundings and becoming undetectable to guards and almost invisible to players
  • Gear – Smoke, covering the target area in a cloud of darkness, obscuring vision and preventing tagging from other players

• Tooke/The Mystic is a melee fighter, armed with a flail to devastate up-close while also acting as a support to the team.
  • Trait – Respire, stamina is regenerated at a faster rate following consumption
  • Ability – Instinct, highlight obscured enemies for teammates and healing those within close range
  • Gear – Poison, dispersing enemies with a long lasting elixir which drains stamina and impairs the vision of those affected

• John/The Brawler uses his mighty sledgehammer to decimate at close range making him an essential asset during the chest extraction phase.
  • Trait – Resolute, can raise closed portcullis gates, providing an opening for teammates during lockdowns when an area is in High Alert due to detection
  • Ability – Wrath, unleashing additional strength while being able to take more damage
  • Gear – Explosive, kills all targets within proximity of the blast radius following a delayed fuse

Understanding the Traits, Ability and Gear of each character is essential to survival and success during Heists. Each character brings a lot to the table which is fun to experiment with and to alternate the play styles each are suited to. John/The Brawler is definitely the most powerful and easily the greatest threat and as there is no character limit in teams it is possible for a full team of four John’s to lay waste to everyone in sight, a disturbingly regular occurrence in my experience which all but eliminates any hope of success for the opposing team.

Any player enemy or State Guard can be assassinated if approached from behind and pressing the displayed button prompt. The only exception to this is the Sheriff, he is immune to assassination and even death, instead he can be beaten until his health bar depletes and will entered a stunned state for what appears to be a random length of time. I have seen him down for mere seconds and other times for well over a minute. Stealth is heavily recommended and encouraged in Hood but there is nothing wrong with going in loud, hammers and bows blazing and facing the consequences of such a noisy approach. It’s riskier but it’s also a lot of fun.

As enemies are defeated, players and State Guards alike, the ability meter will charge and when full the player is able to use their special ability before having to replenish the meter for further use. The meter however does not progress while the area is in lockdown/High Alert after detection until that area is cleared or escaped. State Guards will investigate sounds and can be distracted by throwing stones in a particular direction or whistling to garner their attention.

The combat is simple yet fun and engaging. Melee characters John and Tooke have light and heavy attacks while Robin and Marianne have light and ranged attacks. Throwing the gear, abilities and assassinations into the equation results in a small but effective pool of offensive capabilities. Enemy attacks can be blocked, which consumes stamina – as does sprinting and attacking, but can also be parried, opening a brief window for a follow-up attack to be unleashed.

Completion of Heists, as well as loot collected throughout and from completing objectives, awards each player Gold. This Gold is distributed by the player at the end of each game on Scales of Justice. One side goes to the player’s pocket while the other goes to the Hideout with distribution being up to the discretion of the player.

By pocketing the Gold it becomes available to spend in the Hideout which acts as the hub-world between Heists. It can be spent on unique character perks that offer stat increases or buffs, skins and alternate weapon cosmetics for each character, all of which are hidden behind characters reaching specific levels, the Hideout being a specific level or the completion challenges. Distributing Gold to the Hideout allows more resources to flow in which in turn increases the player’s Hideout Level. A higher Hideout level opens up additional unlocks for skins as mentioned. Challenges can be initiated within the Hideout that task the player with getting X amount of kills or stealing the key for example and awards them experience.

Visually Hood: Outlaws & Legends looks amazing. The environmental detail is stunning and the character models are impressive. Crisp sound design and an epic score keep the tensions as high as the stakes and pressure of completing a Heist while combatting both enemy forces who seek to oppose and stop you.

Hood: Outlaws & Legends is an incredibly enjoyable stealth-action experience bogged down only by poor matchmaking times and the inability to play with bots. As this title was always intended and discussed as a multiplayer only experience it may be considered unfair to discuss the lack of solo play or bot support but these features would broaden the appeal to players and allow for a more casual and balanced alternative to the frantic, inconsistent and unfair matchmaking that is exclusively on offer.

Each character feels genuinely unique and fun to play as with the simple but accessible and engaging gameplay and combat. It feels reminiscent of the latest iterations of Assassin’s Creed, blending stealth and outright violence in the tug of war between the two teams and the State Guards that don’t discriminate against their targets. Heists are tense, thrilling and full of drama, especially in the final moments and for this reason alone it is possible to overlook the “nice to haves” in regards to better matchmaking and enjoy the game in its current state.

+ Distinct character/class gameplay and combat

+ Thrilling tension and drama

+ Stunning environmental art and sound design

 – Lack of solo play or bot support

 – Poor matchmaking times

 – Unfair matchmaking grouping

Developed by: Sumo Digital

Published by: Focus Home Interactive

Release Date: May 10 2021

Platforms: Xbox One/Series X/S, PlayStation 4/5 and PC

– Additional Links –

For more of my reviews, click HERE.

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

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Long Ago: A Puzzle Tale is as described. It’s a puzzle game with a narrative that takes place long ago, its story told through rhyming narration in the style of a fairytale. Directing a stone ball across an isometric game board collecting feathers and coins comprise the gameplay with relaxing music in the background. For a light, surprisingly relaxing puzzle experience with an accessible hint system, Long Ago: A Puzzle Tale gets it right.

Spanning five chapters that each have six levels the story is straightforward in its concept. Laid out on the board are a number of feathers positioned in a manner that requires careful calculation to pass through and collect.

There are a fixed number of moves to complete each level, by collecting all of the feathers, that are displayed in the top left corner of the screen. Selecting any direction and launching the ball will cause it to travel in a linear path until it hits the edge or an obstacle such as a box. Unless I am not quite as sharp as I had thought it seems as though the number of moves available are exactly how many it takes to complete it. For example, with the exception of the very first level if the move limit is 8 it can’t be completed in 6 or 7 moves, it will take 8. With story progression the complexity of these levels increases and new gameplay mechanics are introduced.

Upon completion of the six levels within a chapter an additional 10 levels become available. These additional non-story levels substitute feathers for coins to collect and while a move limit remains though in a slightly different format. Instead of the move limit present in the story levels, a varying number of gold, silver and bronze bars represent something of a scoring system. The number of bars present represents the maximum number of moves but completing the level while the bar is gold, silver or bronze depending on how many moves were used will award 3, 2 or 1 gem/s accordingly. The collected coins can be used to purchase alternate, purely cosmetic skins for the ball while the gems are required to unlock additional chapters and progress the story.

A rewind feature allowing moves to be undone and the inclusion of a hint system are welcome additions, making the puzzle experience a little more accessible for casual players as the complexity and difficulty gradually increases. The level can be restarted at any time but a simple press of the rewind button will undo an incorrect move and afford the opportunity to try again without having to start from scratch. The hint shows which direction to send the ball. A hint meter is gradually filled on the side of the screen that carries over through puzzles to be saved for later. This is an extremely thoughtful function proved to come in handy on a number of occasions, even as a player who regularly enjoys puzzle experiences yet still found myself stumped every now and then.

The screen can be rotated to provide varying angles and vantage points though they rarely shed any light on how best to approach a puzzle. A different perspective may help some players solve their temporary conundrum but overall it’s a feature that doesn’t seem to either help or harm the experience.

The vibrant visual charm and the cool character art compliments the fantasy inspired melodies that soothe and relax, a joy in any puzzle experience that could at any moment become stressful. The satisfying clink of coins, thuds of crashing into obstacles and enjoyable rhyming narration round out the audio-visual presentation nicely.

By offering hints and a rewind function Long Ago: A Puzzle Tale allows players to tackle the experience at their own pace, relying on their logic and calculation abilities at first with these accessibility backups as a crutch to fall back on if required. The soothing score and simple sound design keep it playful and light in tone at all times, a relaxing companion to potentially stressful puzzles. Casual players and puzzle fans alike can look forward to an experience that might just be the most approachable, accessible and relaxing puzzle game on console.

+ Rhyming narrative

+ Enchanting visuals

+ Soothing score and sound design

+ Accessible hint and rewind systems

– Pretty challenging without hints in later levels

– Story doesn’t quite feel necessary

Developed by: GrimTalin

Published by: GrimTalin

Release Date: May 28 2021

Platforms: Xbox One/Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and PC

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It’s been six months since the launch of Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla and after a handful of community events and smaller scale content the first story expansion has finally arrived in the form of Wrath of the Druids.

Eivor is requested by the King of Dublin to visit Ireland, home to new main and optional mission chains, more political drama and as per recent trends in the series, mystical and supernatural beings and happenings. With a beautiful new location to explore, secrets to discover, puzzles to solve and things to collect, Valhalla’s first story expansion is meaningful in terms of depth and also introduces some of the coolest enemies in the franchise to date.

My full review of Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla can be found HERE.

The story itself, much like the base game, is mired in political drama and power struggles. Forging alliances, defeating the enemy forces of those who oppose the King and securing trade routes bog down majority of the approximately six hour main story. Lack of mission variety holds the expansion back, treading familiar waters as opposed to introducing new and exciting mission types.

The introduction of the Royal Demands, quests that can be acquired from pigeon coops, are a step back if anything by tasking the player with the likes of clearing outposts, defeating designated targets and stealing items. For players who have already conquered all of Valhalla’s base game this will likely feel too simple and uninspired.

Additional elements to the Royal Demands include providing bonuses for avoiding detection or taking no damage for instance though these aren’t particularly meaningful and in the case of veteran franchise players, little to no actual challenge. Completing these missions helps with the influential gain over Ireland’s four regions which also opens up additional side missions and awards building resources, the latter an incentive that isn’t particularly enjoyable or worthwhile to pursue for players that aren’t completionists. Establishing trade posts that generate resources such as food or clothing that can be used to trade for gear is another new concept that isn’t particularly enjoyable or worthwhile.

Playtime can be increased substantially with the wealth of optional missions, areas to complete and tracking down the interesting radicalised cult of druids known as the Children of Danu. The druids themselves are easily the most visually interesting enemy types to date with their ragged attire, menacing skeletal headwear and supernatural abilities that strike fear into the folks of Ireland.

Their narrative arc, which intertwines with the Children of Danu and the advanced technology tied to the Isu, is by far the most interesting. Exploring their origins and purpose throughout the main story is fascinating and the combat encounters are approximately engaging due to their fearsome appearance and abilities. Their use of hallucinogenic gas affects Eivor’s perception of reality and in turn it appears as though they have magical abilities and can transform in surprising ways, a clever way to incorporate a supernatural element while maintaining a more grounded overall world.

New abilities have been introduced which can be unlocked and upgraded by finding the Tomes of Knowledge books. The new abilities include allowing Eivor to summon an Irish wolfhound, utilise smoke bomb arrows and unleash a powerful headbutt, all of which are fun to experiment with, especially when upgraded.

Ireland is beautifully realised visually, offering rolling hills, lush green plains and ominous forests that feel distinctly different to what England and Norway offer in the base game. With such a stunning backdrop to embark on this extended adventure Wrath of the Druids relies on the visual marvel of its environment and maniacal druids as the most meaningful new content. Unfortunately this expansion is merely more of the same in terms of gameplay and mission variety though Ireland and the druids do a damn good job of making it feel more interesting.

Wrath of the Druids main quest line doesn’t feel interesting outside of the pursuit of the Children of Danu and the newly introduced supporting characters do little to encourage an emotional investment from the player. For fans of Valhalla and Assassin’s Creed overall it’s a worthy voyage though casual players looking for new ideas, mechanics or simply variety will be disappointed.

+ New enemy types and designs

+ Ireland is stunning

+ Children of Danu and druid storylines

– Lack of new mission variety

– Royal Demands and trade posts aren’t enjoyable or challenging

– Overall “more of the same” gameplay

Developed by: Ubisoft

Published by: Ubisoft

Release Date: May 13 2021

Platforms: Xbox One/Series X/S, PlayStation 4/5 and PC

– Additional Links –

For more of my reviews, click HERE.

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

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The end of days is upon us in Biomutant. The world lies in ruins as four monstrosities known as Worldeaters seek the destruction of the Tree of Life, an event that will see the destruction of the planet and the extinction of all living things that inhabit it.

Exploring the post-apocalyptic open world reveals diverse biomes that are each home to quirky characters and unique enemies. Perhaps the most important inhabitants are the Tribes that rule them, Tribes that can be united to face the Worldeaters together or mercilessly conquered. These decisions are just a few that will shape the fate of the world in Biomutant, an epic kung-fu fable RPG that puts players in control of their own destiny amidst a power struggle of light and darkness.

Mutation is more than a plot device in Biomutant, it is a core element of the gameplay and specifically the customisation. In a world ravaged by bio-contamination, the wildlife and sentient beings that inhabit it have been subject to mutations that have altered their genetic structure and therefore their appearances and physical capabilities.

Biomutant opens with character customisation that offers great depth and personalisation of the character that players will embark on their journey with. Six breeds are available to choose from, each offering unique base stats. This is also the introduction of the narrator who is ever-present throughout Biomutant and narrates events as they unfold, the world as it is explored and essentially translates the dialogue of every character as they only speak what is referred to in-game as “gibberish”.

From there the player is able to mutate their genetic structure, favouring agility, intellect, strength, vitality, charisma or a balance of all five. Genetic resilience in preference of heat or cold and biohazard or radioactivity allows the player to set their initial resilience to the genetic hazards that are found throughout the world with certain areas that will harm or ultimately kill the player if they are not genetically enhanced to survive it.

An assortment of fur styles and primary and secondary colours round out the cosmetic customisation of the character creation suite and are fun, varied and interesting enough that the whole customisation process feels fleshed out and genuinely difficult to settle on the perfect character.

Finally, the player is able to select one of five classes:

• Dead-Eye is a tricky, skillful rogue who’s chosen a life outside law and society values.
• Commando is trained as an operative of an elite special operations force. Commandos are used to working in smaller teams.
• Psi-Freaks are experimenting with psionic powers and mutations. They’re usually outcasts on the fringe of society.
• Saboteur is a cunning, skilled explorer trained to operate covertly in both suburbs and wilderness.
• Sentinels dedicate themselves to protect a house. Their dedication is for the organisation as a whole, including supreme belief in their dogma.

The class selection allows the player to pick their preferred play style and also influences their initial attire.

With the character creation complete the player is thrust into a tutorial and almost immediately presented with a crossroads, physically and morally. One path is paved on the course of darkness, strength and power while the other represents light, freedom and loyalty. This is merely the first of many decisions that will impact the player’s journey and the in-game moral compass of the Light and Dark Aura which in turn, dependent of their respective levels, opens access to specific abilities later on, as well as influences the world’s perception of the player.

With the path chosen the player is free to set out on their journey, able to make decisions that can influence their Dark and Light Aura in favour of one or a balance of both. Dialogue, actions and environmental interactions influence the Aura, immediately suggestive of replayability to explore both sides to the extreme or balancing them both in future playthroughs.

As an open world experience Biomutant doesn’t force the player to progress the narrative, instead allowing them to experience the world at their own pace. The main quest line essentially tasks the player with confronting the six Tribes that each have their own agenda, variants of uniting, separating, subduing or vanquishing the other Tribes and either defeating the Worldeaters or letting them destroy the Tree of Life, the latter serving as a death sentence to the entire planet.

Focusing solely on the main story itself will see it completed in less than 10 hours while completing the wealth of optional side quests and exploration of the diverse biomes can extend the runtime of a single playthrough immensely.

It is important to note that the completion of the story offers a New Game + mode that allows the player to replay the game with their upgrades and equipment intact, however there is a point of no return prior to the final mission that will require careful save file management to ensure additional activities can be completed without the need for a new save. The ability to save at any time makes this very simple and is an excellent feature that if used regularly can allow players to explore alternative outcomes of their decisions before settling on what they feel is best.

The story is grand in scope with world-ending consequences and tells a personal tale of tragedy that comes to a potentially satisfying or disastrous conclusion based on a number of key decisions available throughout Biomutant. Decisions can change the overall outcome in a number of ways, some more meaningful than others. Packed with heart, responsibility and consequences, Biomutant tells a charming story that, in my opinion, only falls flat in regard to the lack of actual dialogue from characters.

The narrator adds an adventurous charm to the experience but strips away emotional depth, personalisation of the characters met along the way and removes a deeper sense of attachment to the player’s character. The narration frequency can actually be decreased in the settings, but the in-game pop-up occurred for me during the second last mission, something that would have greatly influenced my experience early on.

Tribes each have three outposts that must be conquered before the final confrontation with the Tribe’s leader can take place. The missions that lead to these outposts are unfortunately shallow and repetitive, tasking the player with defeating a beast, activating a mortar-like weapon or poisoning a water supply for instance. Once an outpost has been cleared vendors for clothing, melee and ranged weapon crafting components, consumables and a unique mount become available. In most cases the outposts of a single tribe are unfortunately all laid out exactly the same with characters in the exact same spots doing the exact same things and loot boxes in the exact same locations. Defeating or uniting with a Tribe grants access to their unique tribal weapon which brings with it unique Wung-Fu abilities to be unlocked.

Wung-Fu encompasses all aspects of combat in Biomutant. Melee combat revolves around single handed, double handed and dual wielded weapons and ranged combat comes in the forms of guns and weapons such as bows.

Combining melee and ranged combat with the psi abilities to pull off devastating but simple to execute combos is a lot of fun. Psi abilities include the likes of elemental attacks using fire, poison and teleportation, with some abilities gated by the Light and Dark Aura morality system.

All aspects of Wung-Fu from melee, ranged and psi abilities can be unlocked by spending various in-game points earned with progression. Combat is fun to experiment with and the integration of melee and ranged attacks with psi abilities affords enjoyable experimentation.

Stringing together successive special attacks will fill a single Wung-Fu icon and when three unique special attacks have been used the player can enter Super Wung-Fu mode which brings up a handful of button prompts to unleash maximum damage for a brief period of time.

Perks can also be unlocked and equipped that provide passive stat buffs with increases to damage and speed for example.

Accompanying the player at all times is the Automaton, a mechanical insect. It acts as a flashlight that activates automatically in darkness but can also be upgraded to provide further functions such as a health injector, glider, turret and damage boost.

The world is littered with signposts that can be interacted with that act as fast travel points. These can be accessed at any time and make for traversal of the generously vast map very simple. These signposts are unlocked by interacting with it which amusingly is done by urinating on them. It’s certainly a unique interaction and adds levity to a game that is otherwise shrouded in dire situations and consequences.

Traversing the map with mounts is an alternative option, with dozens of different types to either be bought at outposts or tamed in the wild by interacting with them while in possession of specific seeds. These seeds are found in bushes that need to be slid underneath to collect. The mounts are visually creative with some fun species to find. Colour variants of most can be bought and the preferred mount can be selected from the transport tab of the menu at any time and summoned with the D-Pad. They aren’t particularly fast, but are still faster than travelling on foot.

Later in the game with story progression special vehicles become available to access and summon in specific locations. These can be upgraded to be more effective too and open up the exploration possibilities immensely for players seeking to explore every nook and cranny that Biomutant has on offer.

The weapons of Biomutant are interesting to say the least, largely due to the diverse and creative weapon crafting and customisation available. Weapons, both melee and ranged, can be crafted by using found or purchased components and mods. Choosing a handle, blade and various mods for weapons results in a unique weapon being crafted with its own wild and whacky name based on the components used to create it. Elemental damage and other effects based on the components used allow for an incredibly diverse weapon system that truly allows the player to engage their enemies however they want.

All weapons, crafting components and clothing items have a rarity, quality and material value that influences their damage, effects and sale value at vendors. These can be upgraded, or greater value components can be added to the weapon to increase its overall value and stats.

The world of Biomutant is visually stunning. Its charming character design and environments are creative, unique and vibrant. Stumbling across broken highways, deserted towns and polluted power plants for instance are so striking and visually interesting, every aspect of the map feels genuinely unique. It’s a shame that Tribe outposts look the same because the rest of Biomutant’s world is so different and varied, with no two areas looking the same. It really feels like a world in ruins, once full of life and now nothing more than a burial ground to the world that once thrived.

The sound design is beautifully executed with a score that knows when to up the ante with the on-screen action, shift to ominous and moody for the discovery of areas once full of life and dramatic for the story beats that depict the trauma the player’s character has been through in the narrative flashbacks for example. Playful sound effects and lively grunts and noises from the enemies and wildlife keep the world feeling alive and dangerous at all times.

Biomutant showcases mutation in all of its glory on a visual level with its environments and playful character design while embracing it in all aspects of character customisation. The story is personal yet grand in scope and stakes with choices that matter, particularly as the end of the world looms and the player’s decision to be its destroyer or its saviour. Fun combat, enjoyable and creative customisation and a plethora of optional objectives to tackle, as well as the New Game + mode encourage replayability.

Biomutant tells a story with experiencing, offers choices that matter and a world to explore that is beautiful, tragic and rich in its own lore that demand attention. There is so much mythology to discover and digest that is genuinely interesting and moreish.

The brevity of the main story is perfect around the 10-hour mark and allows developer Experiment 101 enough time to tell the story they want to tell without stretching it out unnecessarily and welcoming fatigue or disinterest. Dozens of side quests to complete, tons of secrets to discover and plenty of experimentation with gear and weapons allow players to explore the world of Biomutant with as much depth as they want. The inclusion of the Light and Dark Aura system, as well as how to handle the Tribes simply screams replayability and thorough exploration to get as most out of the world as possible. The fate of the world is in the players hands and the road to that decision is up to them every step of the way.

+ Incredible customisation

+ Fun and engaging gameplay

+ Stunning environments

+ Solid character design

+ Replay value

– Narration eliminates a lot of the emotion of the dramatic moments and scenes

– Tribe outpost asset repetition

– Slow traversal speed, even on mount

Developed by: Experiment 101

Published by: THQ Nordic

Release Date: May 26 2021

Platforms: Xbox One/Series X/S, PlayStation 4/5 and PC

* A digital code was provided as a team member of One More Game/Xbox Gamer Dad for the purpose of this review * 

– Additional Links –

For more of my reviews, click HERE.

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All digital photography was captured in-game on an Xbox Series X by Games of DAYNE

The post Biomutant Review first appeared on Games of DAYNE.