The Games Shed | Retro & Modern Gaming https://www.thegamesshed.com/ Gaming News, Reviews, Tutorial's, Gameplay Videos and more! Tue, 22 Aug 2023 08:43:06 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.thegamesshed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/cropped-buttonsX.png The Games Shed | Retro & Modern Gaming https://www.thegamesshed.com/ 32 32 38006243 TAITO Milestones 2 out Aug 31 2023! https://www.thegamesshed.com/taito-milestones-2-out-aug-31-2023/ Tue, 22 Aug 2023 08:43:03 +0000 https://www.thegamesshed.com/?p=7020 The Games Shed |

Following on the heels of the mighty TAITO Milestones, the sequel of ten incredible games drops on August 31st 2023. ININ and TAITO offer up an absolute monster compilation of classic retro smash hits in this 10 game sure-fire winner: This stunning collection comes exclusively to Nintendo Switch in both physical and digital formats, offering […]

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Following on the heels of the mighty TAITO Milestones, the sequel of ten incredible games drops on August 31st 2023.


ININ and TAITO offer up an absolute monster compilation of classic retro smash hits in this 10 game sure-fire winner:

  • NewZealand Story (1988)
  • Kiki Kaikai (1986)
  • Darius II (3 Screen Arcade Version) (1989)
  • Gun Frontier (1990)
  • Ben Bero Beh (1984)
  • The Legend of Kage (1985)
  • Liquid Kids (Mizubaku Adventure) (1990)
  • Solitary Fighter (1991)
  • Dinorex (1992)
  • Metal Black (1991)

This stunning collection comes exclusively to Nintendo Switch in both physical and digital formats, offering an unparalleled retro gaming experience.

For more information please visit: Taito Milestones 2 for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site

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Highrise City will be leaving Early Access later this year! https://www.thegamesshed.com/highrise-city-will-be-leaving-early-access-later-this-year/ Wed, 12 Jul 2023 08:51:36 +0000 https://www.thegamesshed.com/?p=7014 The Games Shed |

Highrise City, the ambitious city builder from FourExo Entertainment and Deck13 Spotlight will be leaving Early Access later this year – after releasing countless huge updates, implementing community feedback and new features.   A rapidly growing PC wishlist and gamers eager to experience the final release of this epic experience, focus is on ensuring this […]

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The Games Shed |

Highrise City, the ambitious city builder from FourExo Entertainment and Deck13 Spotlight will be leaving Early Access later this year – after releasing countless huge updates, implementing community feedback and new features.   A rapidly growing PC wishlist and gamers eager to experience the final release of this epic experience, focus is on ensuring this meets everyone’s high expectation.

More Power!

Today the final major update before leaving Early Access has been released for Highrise City, introducing a new research system, an overhauled UI, smaller visual improvements, new milestones and tons of smaller quality of life improvements. A fresh Trailer gives an overview of what to expect in the game: A modern city builder with a strong focus on economy systems.

More Content!

During the Early Access phase Highrise City received tons of new content. New maps were released, a building editor found its way into the game, the complete visual look was enhanced, new production lines were introduced and countless quality of life features were introduced. And yet the journey has just begun.

More Focus!

The Release Update is currently being worked on and has already been in preparation for a long time. The result: An update which will introduce more features and improvements than any previous update before. Public Transport will be available via buses, substations and required electric lines will be introduced, Missions during the gameplay are coming as well, mega skyscrapers, a new Map and a multi staged mega building project. 

With the release of today’s update we are also announcing that Highrise City’s price will change shortly after the Summer Sale in preparation for the full release later this year.

Highrise City is out now in Early Access on Steam and Good Old Games. The game will leave Early Access later this year. A fresh Update is out now. Get the game during the last two days of Summer Sale at a reduced price. For more information visit the games Page in the Focus Store.

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Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble! Review https://www.thegamesshed.com/puzzle-bobble-everybubble-review/ Mon, 19 Jun 2023 10:24:32 +0000 https://www.thegamesshed.com/?p=7005 The Games Shed |

Some 29 years since its initial arcade release, the latest in a long line of Puzzle Bobble titles lands with Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble!. Featuring Bub, Bob and a whole host of pals to bring order to an out of control bubble epidemic on Rainbow Island. Bringing familiar puzzle gameplay we’ve come to love since the […]

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The Games Shed |

Some 29 years since its initial arcade release, the latest in a long line of Puzzle Bobble titles lands with Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble!. Featuring Bub, Bob and a whole host of pals to bring order to an out of control bubble epidemic on Rainbow Island.

Bringing familiar puzzle gameplay we’ve come to love since the early 90’s, Everybubble features a wonderfully wacky Story Mode, local 2v2 battle and four-player co-op modes, on top of this you’ll delight in the all-new on-line multiplayer and the ever-so-fun Puzzle Bobble vs. Space Invaders bonus game.

My time was mostly spent in story mode, which is divided up over a map, on which the stages sit (250 to be priciest). Each stage has three stars to earn, each being dished out based on the speed at which you clear any given level, and once you’ve earned all stars, you can replay the stages at “EX” level – the “EX” meaning “EXtra Hard” supposedly!, again attempting to get the top reward.

Clearing stages throws up numerous challenges, each combated with different special power-ups. These come in all sorts of flavours, like those which clear a particular colour type, or bomb bubbles which clear all surrounding it. The key to 3-starring any level is knowing when and how to use your arsenal to its fullest and most effective, and this is where much frustration can occur. A lot of the game is based around trial and error, and this extends well beyond when you think you’ve mastered the game. There is plenty of luck at play with colour rotation of bubbles etc, so strategising is a key part of EveryBubble!.

I found that when coming back to the game after a stint away I would often forget what special bubbles actions were, and whilst there is a help section on the main menu screen which provides this information, there appears to be no in-game guide to help, a seemingly glaring over-sight meaning you must know what everything does prior to playing a game.

There are an array of cosmetic character customisations at hand in the game to busy yourself with, and no DLC / Store shoved down your throat, which honestly in 2023 feels so very refreshing. Coupled with the wonderfully cheery overall aesthetic and bouncy music accompanying the game, this really is proving to be my go-to game for Summer 2023.

The bonus game Puzzle Bobble Vs Space Invaders is incredibly enjoyable, mixing the gameplay mechanics of each classic arcade smash into one would seem like a bonkers idea which surely couldn’t and shouldn’t work, but my word it works. And it is incredibly enjoyable. Watching the bubbles inch their way along the screen, dropping lower, row by row as you fire off bubbles trying to demolish it in time, all the while trying to avoid enemy fire – simply genius, however, again a quite glaringly obvious omission – this mode has no scoreboard, either local or online. I’d be sat on this mode until the cows came home if it did. Yet it doesn’t. So I don’t.

With so much on offer here Puzzle Bobble EveryBubble! is actually a great purchase. It can get very frustrating at times, but equally is such good wholesome fun and rewarding when overcoming a seemingly impossible challenge. There is a little bit of luck at play at times, but with the game being so delightfully charming this can certainly be overlooked. Puzzle Bobble remains a brilliant arcade classic which hasn’t changed a whole heap, nor does it need to. It’s greatness is in its simplicity.

You can pick up the game right now on Nintendo Switch either digitally or physically via Strictly Limited Games .

Developer: Taito Games
Release Date: May 23, 2023

Platform: Nintendo Switch
Publisher: Inin
Genre: Arcade / Puzzle

TGS would like to thank the publisher for the review code supplied for the purpose of this review. For more information please e-mail info@thegamesshed.com

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Kudzu – A Brand New Game Boy Game on Kickstarter Now! https://www.thegamesshed.com/kudzu-a-brand-new-game-boy-game-on-kickstarter-now/ Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:38:34 +0000 https://www.thegamesshed.com/?p=6999 The Games Shed |

Over 30 years since the Nintendo handheld device which changed the world came out, the Game Boy is still having new physical games released for it. The latest forthcoming title is Kudzu – developed by designer Chris Totten using GB Studio engine, a game set in a world awash with biologists, in which you, Max, […]

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The Games Shed |

Over 30 years since the Nintendo handheld device which changed the world came out, the Game Boy is still having new physical games released for it.

The latest forthcoming title is Kudzu – developed by designer Chris Totten using GB Studio engine, a game set in a world awash with biologists, in which you, Max, must overcome mother-nature to find your master gardening mentor, Zoen, who has mysteriously gone missing.

Presently sat on Kickstarter and having achieved its initial target easily and smashed a couple of stretch goals, the team and publishers Mega Cat Studios are seeking your help to push it that little bit further and hopefully fund not only a Nintendo Switch port, but also a colour version of the game.

We were lucky enough to have been sent a prototype cart from Mega Cat Studios and have instantly fallen in love.

The game is a zelda-esque puzzle action title and a total delight to play. We livestreamed the first half hour and had a wild time.

If you’re interested in backing this fantastic project simply head on over to Kickstarter and search “Kudzu”, or click here!

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Dungeon Drafters – Review https://www.thegamesshed.com/dungeon-drafters-review/ Fri, 26 May 2023 16:13:53 +0000 https://www.thegamesshed.com/?p=6992 The Games Shed |

Mystery dungeon adventure Dungeon Drafters has been something of a breath of fresh air to me – pushing me well and truly out of my comfort zone. I don’t tend to go any way near card based strategy games, in fact you’d often find me as far as possible away from anything remotely card or […]

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The Games Shed |

Mystery dungeon adventure Dungeon Drafters has been something of a breath of fresh air to me – pushing me well and truly out of my comfort zone. I don’t tend to go any way near card based strategy games, in fact you’d often find me as far as possible away from anything remotely card or indeed strategy related in the video game realm, however Dungeon Drafters not only held my attention, but did so very well.

This top down 16-bit looking dungeon crawler gives you 6 characters to choose from: Monk, Explorer, Mage, Bard, Shinobi and Brawler, each getting their own unique starter deck with which to do battle.
You are afforded the ability to customise your deck later should you wish to, so don’t get caught up on who to initially go with.

The core of the game revolves around dungeon crawling across a number of biomes. Each biome having different floors, each floor providing a bigger challenge than the last. Entering each particular dungeon and battling the given monsters in turn-based strategic combat, utlising the cards you have to attack, defend of counter any affects you have been dealt. Cards offer up different ranges of attack, heals, buffs, counters etc.
Enemies are wild and hugely varied, each bringing unique battle abilities which you must use every inch of your brains capacity to overcome. You can directly attack, or force enemies into an elaborate environmental hazard, the real challenge in Dungeon Drafters is your creativity.

The environments are incredibly detailed in bright, beautiful sprites, accompanied by a gloriously comforting soundtrack which hums along befitting of the mysterious world you explore.

Dungeons hold cards, secret rooms, puzzles etc. and the game also packs mini games away to break up the pace and drop some calm on you.

In the main hub world outside of the dungeons you’ll find an array of NPC’s with which to speak and learn the lore of the land, some of which will task you with in-dungeon objectives. There is so much to see and do that the game can quickly become all consuming.

The battles provide a great sense of achievement especially when seemingly overcoming the odds – pitted against vastly more powerful enemies by using cunning and carefully planning out your attacks. You will be punished if you don’t plan out your attacks carefully – I know this for a fact!

For those of you who love your Steam Trading Cards there’s a heap of these too, so grind away and earn yourselves those little tokens of goodness.

Whilst I will say that the genre isn’t one I gravitate toward, I found the game certainly held my hand and didn’t introduce overly complex mechanics and it generally left me to get on with it, and I very much enjoyed learning it’s ways.

I did try to play this on Steam Deck too and whilst it certainly ran on the handheld it did have some trouble picking up the native controls, so this is something to consider.

If you’re looking for a charming adventure title this week, you should very much contemplate the wonderful Dungeon Drafters.

Title: Dungeon Drafters
Developer: Manalith Studios
Publisher: DANGEN Entertainment
Genre: Mystery Dungeon Adventure
Players: 1
Price: 24.99 USD
Release Date: April 27, 2023 (PC), Consoles TBD

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Hunt the Night – Review https://www.thegamesshed.com/hunt-the-night-review/ Wed, 10 May 2023 09:33:41 +0000 https://www.thegamesshed.com/?p=6975 The Games Shed |

Hunt the Night is a top-down souls-like dungeon crawling adventure RPG (..and breathe) title some are comparing to classic Zelda games and Bloodborne, but what do we think of this curious clash of genres? At the heart of Hunt the Night is a story of Vesper, a hunter charged with well err.. hunting the Nigh, […]

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The Games Shed |

Hunt the Night is a top-down souls-like dungeon crawling adventure RPG (..and breathe) title some are comparing to classic Zelda games and Bloodborne, but what do we think of this curious clash of genres?

At the heart of Hunt the Night is a story of Vesper, a hunter charged with well err.. hunting the Nigh, the titular evil which has spread over the lands, once kept at bay by the magical Seal of Night, now broken and spread throughout the world, engulfing it in darkness and evil. You must collect the fragments of the seal to return the light and restore balance.
Developed by Spanish start-up Moonlight Games who pride themselves on their love of retro – specifically 16 bit games, the game absolutely drips with 90’s charm. Every on screen pixel is utilised to execute a beautifully realised gothic horror setting, shrouded in darkness where unspeakable things wait at every turn.

The battle and movement mechanics excel with a combination of ranged attack such as shotgun, handgun, crossbow (all upgradable), and melee weapons, paired with a dash mechanic (which uses a stamina bar) giving you not only a speed advantage in battle but a number of frames of invulnerability to execute devastating punishment on foes, and magic with which to dish out beatings. You do have limited ammo for your ranged weapons, but this is topped up through close quarters melee attacks, meaning you’ll not be able to cheese your way through encounters from distance. You’ll quickly find your rhythm in Hunt The Night and encounters will swiftly become almost as balletic as they are furious. The only real downside I found was that there was no map to consult, so I’d be backtracking to places over and over in a state of confusion at times.

Most puzzles are straightforward enough and involve finding items or moving / opening things in a particular order, all easy enough if you’ve explored thoroughly and consulted the various journals / writings / conversations.

Boss battles will test your mettle as there are typically no punches pulled affair, but as with all games of this nature you’ll soon learn patterns and be able to swiftly deal with whatever nasty you face.

The game runs as well on a Steam Deck as it does on a desktop / laptop PC so is the ideal retro-RPG affair for on-the-go-gaming.

I’ve really enjoyed my time with Hunt The Night and at just £16.75 on Steam this really isn’t a gamble you can lose, especially if you hanker for ARPG’s of yesteryear, which seep love from every inch of its design. Just note, there is very little handholding in this game and it can be brutal at times.

You have been warned!

Developer: Moonlight Games
Release Date: Apr 13, 2023

Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation & Xbox (Console release date TBC)
Reviewed On: PC
Publisher: DANGEN Entertainment
Genre: Dark Fantasy Action-RPG

TGS would like to thank the publisher for the review code supplied for the purpose of this review. For more information please e-mail info@thegamesshed.com



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What The Bat – PSVR 2 Review https://www.thegamesshed.com/what-the-bat-psvr-2-review/ Fri, 10 Mar 2023 17:12:50 +0000 https://www.thegamesshed.com/?p=6967 The Games Shed |

What The Bat is entirely a ridiculous VR physics experiment, with a rather silly twist – you play a character with baseball bats in place of arms & hands. You start each stage unable to move your lower body, only your head and arms and you must find a way to complete each stage using […]

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The Games Shed |

What The Bat is entirely a ridiculous VR physics experiment, with a rather silly twist – you play a character with baseball bats in place of arms & hands. You start each stage unable to move your lower body, only your head and arms and you must find a way to complete each stage using nothing more than trial and error.

There are no instructions, no guidance, nothing. Each world you start on introduces you to the style of challenge each stage within the world will throw at you, but largely it’s a case of try and see what happens.

The stages usually revolve around locating a hidden trophy, or knocking an in-sight one to the floor, but how you do this wildly changes from stage to stage.

The stages you inhabit are as bonkers as the concept of the game too with nods to other video games and popular culture along the way too.

One particular level I enjoyed put me in an art gallery. Looking around I was presented with a sign which indicated no photography was allowed. I could also see numerous seagulls taking photographs of the artwork on the walls. I push a button on a plinth and a baseball is presented, floating in the air. I ready up, take a swing and fire the ball down the gallery hitting a gull. I continue to do this until I’ve hit every bird. I complete the level by ridding the room of photographers. I found it incredibly amusing.

From standard household tasks like making toast and brushing teeth, you’ll venture outside of the home to partake in space battles, farming activities, fishing, directing traffic, retail work, and even shooting some hoops.

The developers had a wild time creating some of these wacky stages and as brief and unchallenging as they may have been I know they will stick with me as cherished gaming memories for some time. I was especially overjoyed at seeing pinball table type representations of Space Invaders and Breakout.

There’s no real difficulty challenge here, nor a great deal of content – equally if you are a trophy hunter you might be disappointed to learn there is no platinum on offer. What there is in What The Bat is fun, and heaps of it. Additionally all can be done standing in one single spot, ensuring this game does not require the use of an entire room!

The game is short and most of the joy comes from partaking in the challenge for the very first time, meaning there’s sadly no real replayability and you might want a little more at £19.99 considering other PSVR 2 titles coming in at the same price such as Synth Riders – Remastered Edition, Pavlov, Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded & Ragnarock which all have near endless replayability.

That said, this is easily one of the most accessible titles and something you really should try out if you get a second. I find it to be the perfect gateway into VR for newcomers. Pop the headset on a guest to your house and let them crack on.

Summary:
If you’re looking for something to amuse you or for a family friendly VR title, perhaps you have some guests coming over who may not be too deep into gaming, then grab this and go wild. It is heaps of fun, never gets boring and is completely daft – just don’t go and expect anything deep, meaningful or that you can return to over and over, because there’s nothing beyond a single, short playthrough. The game listing states over 100 stages, which might seem a lot, but many can be completed in seconds. The entire game takes around 4 hours and I did it in 2 fairly casual sittings. Certainly something you should experience, but maybe hold out for a sale before committing to a purchase because there is a great deal more value (and in all honestly fun) out there at this price point.

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Strayed Lights – Preview https://www.thegamesshed.com/strayed-lights-preview/ Wed, 08 Mar 2023 20:48:43 +0000 https://www.thegamesshed.com/?p=6960 The Games Shed |

Strayed Lights is a forthcoming title from a studio named Embers. We got our hands on the 1 hour preview, so here are a few initial thought. Strayed Lights is a mysterious 3rd person action title which aims to put all of its focus into its somewhat unique battle mechanic. Waking up under water, perhaps […]

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The Games Shed |

Strayed Lights is a forthcoming title from a studio named Embers. We got our hands on the 1 hour preview, so here are a few initial thought.

Strayed Lights is a mysterious 3rd person action title which aims to put all of its focus into its somewhat unique battle mechanic.


Waking up under water, perhaps drowning – we’ve no idea how we got there or indeed who (or even what) we are. Clambering our of the water only adds to the mystery. Press releases inform me that we play an ‘unbalanced being of light and darkness on its path towards awakening’, which genuinely does very little to clarify anything.

I’m some sort of anthropomorphic soul, powered / made from light. The backing sound effects whip around my headphones, creating hostility through a chilling wind howl and pattering of rain in a sparce, beautifully lit world.

I move onwards, steered into a fairly obvious area – the game feels linear, yet not entirely guided enough to not cause confusion. This is a 3D realised world with no apparent navigation tool.

The opening section serves to slowly introduce us to the controls. First we learn how to sprint using the B button. Then jump with the A button. Jumping feels somewhat superhero like – it’s a little exaggerated, I figure this may come in handy later in the game. We then find out how to duck by clicking in the left stick. All rather entry level game control introduction so far.

My character suddenly evolves. I change shape. Become more human-like. I see my reflection, it breaks free from its reflective prison and presents itself as hostile. Bang on cue I partake in a battle, and this is where we begin to learn the true beauty of Strayed Lights. Not as at first thought its use of light to illuminate our surroundings and show off this wonderfully unique world, but its combat twist.

Tapping the left shoulder button swaps my characters light source from orange to blue. Pressing the right shoulder button introduces a parry mechanic. Strayed Light seems to have found heavy influence from a 2001 Shoot ‘Em Up by the name Ikaruga in this regard, you see, your enemy combatant can also freely swap between orange and blue. In battle you must match the colour of your enemy and parry their attacks, which will serve to not only block the attack, but fill up your health meter whilst doing so. Parry in the wrong colour and you will only block the incoming attack. But wait, that isn’t all, because that would be way too easy, right? The enemy can also switch to a third colour – purple. If they switch to purple, that indicates an unblockable mega attack, so you’ll need to dodge to survive.

Enemies chain together patterned attacks which will see you furiously yet rhythmically tapping buttons to match, parry and dodge. You will also be able to attack using the right trigger. On top of this should you parry enough attacks you will fill a special attack meter. Once full you can release this attack dealing huge damage. This attack will trigger quicktime events which although look very pretty did seem to highly impact the pace of the battle.

There’s a heap to keep in mind when battling, but it is learned very quickly.

A skill upgrade tree adds plenty of additional depth and customisation to later battle opportunities too.

I only had a one hour preview build of the game which saw me take down one boss, which I did so on my first attempt. The fighting is unique, feels satisfying when chaining together a string of successful parries, but equally did feel a little on the long side towards the end of my hour.
I was pitted against some sort of wildlife devouring beast. I had the upper hand on it instantly, and delivering several good hits it decided to run away, sort of like a huge beast in Monster Hunter might, but nothing quite so monumental – beasty just ran a small distance. I caught up to it and instantly we fought again. I dealt it damage and off it popped once more. I chased it down again and finally defeated it.

Summary:

A beautifully atmospheric experience, lighting, enemies and sound effects are all outstanding and helped hugely to give this world character. Seeing the skill tree fills me with joy as I wonder what attack buffs I’ll be able to employ. Equally, I ponder the future enemy types. Being confronted by such a huge beasty (albeit a rather easy one) so early on can only suggest even bigger / scarier things await.

Keep your eyes peeled for more on Strayed Lights, coming to Steam, GoG and Epic for PC, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One, Series X & S and Nintendo Switch on April 25th 2023.

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Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded – PSVR 2 Review https://www.thegamesshed.com/zombieland-headshot-fever-reloaded-psvr-2-review/ Fri, 03 Mar 2023 17:35:03 +0000 https://www.thegamesshed.com/?p=6950 The Games Shed |

I’ve always hankered for that arcade lightgun feeling at home. Those feels I used to get when stood in a dimly lit noisy arcade on London’s Oxford Street in the late 1990’s pumping coin after coin into House of the Dead 2 with my pal, perfecting our headshots, nailing each bad guy without missing a […]

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I’ve always hankered for that arcade lightgun feeling at home. Those feels I used to get when stood in a dimly lit noisy arcade on London’s Oxford Street in the late 1990’s pumping coin after coin into House of the Dead 2 with my pal, perfecting our headshots, nailing each bad guy without missing a single shot, shooting all extras and generally being John Wick well before John Wick was John Wick.

Fast-forward over 20 years and I slap on my PSVR 2 and boot up Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded, not for the first time. It occurs to me that this game has completely overtaken every other PSVR 2 title and PS5 title for my attention. I don’t entirely know why at first, It isn’t the most graphically beautiful, nor the most inventive, technically incredible or amusing – and then it hits me. I’m transported back to that arcade where I mastered HOTD2. I have the same urges of taking down zombies with perfect execution. I want to master the game. I want to be humankind’s saviour – and look cool AF doing it.

Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded sees you join the film franchise original quartet as the newest member of their zombie takedown squad, tasked taking down stages of the undead in ever more increasingly difficult situations, leading to the end game sporting event called the ‘Zombieland Invitational.’

Essentially this is a series of timed stages whereby you must kill all zombies and make it to the end as quickly as possible. You can reduce your overall time you place by activating the games ‘Adrenaline Mode’ – a slow motion state which is triggered (excuse the pun) by planting two or more (depending on particular enemy type) headshots in quick succession in any given zombie. You can extend Adrenaline Mode by consecutive double-taps or shooting thrown objects out of the sky.

There are multiple enemy types, from huge tank-likes requiring an entire clip of 12 bullets to be pumped into their heads, to screamers, throwers (who lob stuff at you to temporarily stun you), small girls, affectionately called Ferals who run at you. The variety of enemy types will keep you on your toes, planning every encounter carefully as you take the enemy down.

The heart of this game is its global scoreboard. The quicker you complete a level, the higher up you place. This in turn will make you play each level countless times, trying to chain double-tap’s together, nailing every single bullet, always thinking several shots ahead at any given time.
There are a multitude of weapons and added perks to choose from too, adding plenty of variety to each run. You carry a handgun as your main weapon, which you reload by flicking down on the control stick to remove the original clip then bring the gun rapidly down to your waist area to reload a new clip. You also have a secondary ‘special’ weapon on your hip which deals lots of damage but is less accurate and has limited ammo. These special weapons range from sub machine guns to shotguns and can really help out when in a tight situation. I tend do keep mine on my hip opting for a double handed grip on my pistol (I find this far more accurate), only grabbing for it when I’ve either mistimed my reloads or get in a slight panic and end up being confronted by 5 very close up zombies.

You can upgrade your guns by collecting currency during each stage – the currency at hand is toilet paper (because it is a zombie apocalypse). There’s a lot to earn, but you will need heaps in order to not only upgrade every weapon, but also partake in the end game invitational event. This event costs 100 TP, so stack them up.

As previously mentioned there are perks you can also unlock and assign to your character. You can use up to three perks at once and you can pick and choose depending on your particular playstyle. There’s everything from double TP earning to laser pointer weapon attachments, a perk which stops you being affected by the throwers to one which increases your special weapon ammo.

There are lots of levels to perfect with each one having a number of special in-game tasks unique to a particular level to achieve. These range from getting a particular combo multiplier, to shooting hidden objects, beating certain times etc. and once you think you’ve mastered them (check the leaderboards) each has it’s own ‘b-side’ remix you can unlock. These remixed levels also offer you challenges but you’ll only be able to access the remix levels once you have beaten the its standard levels A-Grade time requirement.

Scoreboard

There are no human survivors to rescue as in HOTD and the like and perhaps adding this would be beneficial. As is, there are dopey zombies who if hit do give you a time penalty, but adding a particular perk can see you not penalised for hitting these guys. I’d find more gratification in being rewarded with a time bonus from saving someone,.

If you are looking for more there is also a gun range with challenges where you can practice and hone your skills.

The PSVR 2 port has benefitted from receiving three new remix levels, a new story level, completely new guns, perks and unlockable gun skins, as well as offering up controller haptics and adaptive triggers to make the guns feel more real, headset rumble and eye-tracking (used for moving from point to point seamlessly).
The game has also polished the art-style, brought in new character models and animations, added new lighting new music, a new hub and generally improved on the original VR release in every way imaginable.

I bought the game on Oculus Quest when it first came out and spent a little time with it, but it never sank its teeth in to me, but Reloaded has got me well and truly hooked.

I’m having so much fun with Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded that I’ve lost countless evenings to it, clawing my way up the scoreboards and knocking out PlayStation trophies galore. It’s become something of a guilty pleasure and dare I say it, possibly on par with late 90’s arcade lightgun feels.

Developer: XR Games
Release Date: Feb 22, 2023

Platform: PSVR 2
Reviewed On: PSVR 2
Publisher: XR Games
Genre: Shooter

TGS would like to thank the publisher for the review code supplied for the purpose of this review. For more information please e-mail info@thegamesshed.com

The post Zombieland: Headshot Fever Reloaded – PSVR 2 Review appeared first on The Games Shed | Retro & Modern Gaming.

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Ragnarock – PSVR 2 Review https://www.thegamesshed.com/ragnarock-psvr-2-review/ https://www.thegamesshed.com/ragnarock-psvr-2-review/#respond Wed, 01 Mar 2023 19:47:36 +0000 https://www.thegamesshed.com/?p=6946 The Games Shed |

I reviewed Ragnarock on the Oculus (Meta) Quest 1 back in July 2021. The game was effectively in beta, unreleased on the official Oculus store, but sat in its “App Lab”, a place where you can buy and download as yet not fully signed off and approved titles for the Quest. At £18.99 at the […]

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The Games Shed |

I reviewed Ragnarock on the Oculus (Meta) Quest 1 back in July 2021. The game was effectively in beta, unreleased on the official Oculus store, but sat in its “App Lab”, a place where you can buy and download as yet not fully signed off and approved titles for the Quest. At £18.99 at the time the beta impressed me so much that I suggested it was perhaps the best fitness game on the platform.

Fast-forward a year and a half and there I was, on the day before launch of the PSVR 2 and all I could think about playing on my new hardware was Ragnarock. Until that very evening no official comms had been published on bringing the game to the system, but as if a gift from the Norse gods themselves an announcement was made and the game was added to the launch day lineup. Happy me.

The premise is very simple. You must beat a set of four drums to the on-screen indicators – here being runes, which should ideally be hit when directly on top of their respective drum, all set in time to a rather wild array of rock tracks. You stand at the stern of a Viking longship above your crew manning the oars. Your timely beats of the drums spur your crew on to race faster and faster. The more accurate and timelier your drumming the faster your crew will row, resulting in your ship travelling further distances over the course of the song – the overall aim being to travel the furthest distance and thus setting a place on the global leader boards.


A long successful series of hits will result in a powerup, enabling you to hit a 5th or 6th drum (stationed off to one side – also not actually drums but shields). Once you trigger a powerup you grant your crew a temporary boost in power. You can however forego the initial powerup by continuing the combo steak to try to achieve a maximum powerup – this (when hitting the side drum) will result in an even bigger power boost. Be warned, if you mistime a single beat whilst trying to get the big boost you will lose the entire combo, having to start over, so the key is determining if the gamble is worth it.
You can adjust your drums to suit – either bringing closer or moving further away, or you can also adjust the height. You are able also to manually adjust the position of the 5th and 6th drums.

The killer feature in this game is its utterly quality tracklist. Featuring 30 tracks from the get go, all hard rock from bands such as Alestorm, Gloryhammer and Saltatio Mortis to name but a few. I am far from a rock fan, but this game has seen me add a number of the featured tracks to my Spotify playlist. There’s also multiplayer for up to 6 people, so you know!

Those familiar with the game from other VR platforms do not expect a great deal of change here – higher resolution being the main one, but just to have this as a launch day title on PSVR 2 means nearly all of my rhythm game dreams are realised on the platform. I have found that latency issues and stuttering which I experienced sometimes on the Quest have all but vanished.

Priced at just £19.99 this is a must own title. It is brilliantly simple, totally addictive and a crushingly brutal workout for the upper body.

Developer: WanadevStudio
Release Date: Feb 22, 2023

Platform: Oculus (Meta) Quest / PCVR (Steam & Viveport) / PSVR 2
Reviewed On: PSVR 2
Publisher: WanadevStudio
Genre: Rhythm


TGS would like to thank the publisher for the review code supplied for the purpose of this review. For more information please e-mail info@thegamesshed.com

The post Ragnarock – PSVR 2 Review appeared first on The Games Shed | Retro & Modern Gaming.

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