Author: Barrie Clarke

GamingByte Size ReviewPC / MacXbox OneXbox Series SXbox Series X

Lawn Mowing Simulator Byte Size Review (XSX)

Barrie Clarke 1022 Views ,  , 

After a few sessions of Hover Bovver for old times sake, I thought I better get some words down on the latest lawn mowing simulator to hit the market. Lawn Mower Simulator.

This time around it isn’t as easy as nipping into Jim’s shed and pinching his mower. This time you have to be fiscally sensible and run the actual business too. From uniforms to equipment, and even staff. You are the boss.

All the big brands are there, Toro, SCAG and STIGA. And yup, I haven’t heard of them either…

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Hot Wheels Unleashed Preview (PC)

Barrie Clarke 1064 Views ,  , 

Hot Wheels.

Everyone knows them and every kid has a bucket full of them. And come October 1st we can all race our favourite die cast vehicles through a plethora of zany tracks. It is very rare these days to have the privilege to trial a game this far out from launch.

It shows confidence in the product for Milestone S.r.l. to release a preview. Confidence which is well placed with Hot Wheels Unleashed. Even if the only mode available is Quick Race you soon get the idea on how much fun this will be.

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Blackwood
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ESO: Blackwood, Byte Size Review (XSX)

Barrie Clarke 972 Views ,  ,  ,  , 

Welcome to Blackwood.

For the first time since The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion you can return to the Imperial City of Leyawiin and again enter the realm of Mehrunes Dagon. That’s right Portals to Oblivion are back. And to make your adventure into Oblivion even better the release of Blackwood has coincided with an upgrade for latest gen console users.

Blackwood is the latest chapter in the grand Elder Scrolls Online universe following up Greymoor, Elsweyr, Summerset, and Morrowind.

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Necromunda: Hired Gun Review (XSX)

Barrie Clarke 872 Views ,  , 

Necromunda: Hired Gun is a fast paced shooter based in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

Why I have never been pulled into the Warhammer universe is beyond me. It is as cool as hell, and ticks pretty much every box for my likes in a world setting. The plethora of Warhammer games out there, including the recent Mechanicus, just shows the sheer amount of material available of conversion to video games.

Developers Streum On Studio obviously have a love for Warhammer as their last title was Space Hulk: Deathwing. Unfortunately many of the criticisms laid against Space Hulk will be just as valid for Necromunda. But there is a dog. And you can pat it!

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Resident Evil The Village
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Resident Evil Village Spoiler Free Review

Barrie Clarke 1095 Views ,  , 

Barrie and Dylan takes turns at being chased by Lady D.

Resident Evil Village, a very decent continuation of Resident Evil 7 that features more than a little DNA from Resident Evil 4 (AKA probably the best one ever).

A safe sequel, for sure, but also one that filled me with relief to play a big-budget, single-player game with no always-online bullshit, no co-op, no daily challenges (well, not for single player anyway), no reason to come up for air into the real world at all.

It truly is a engrossing journey told in true Resident Evil fashion. The atmosphere and jump scares are all there. If you haven’t already played Resident Evil 7 (included with Xbox Game Pass), I highly recommend it before embarking on your trip to the Village.

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Before We Leave Byte Size Review (PC)

Barrie Clarke 1001 Views ,  , 

Before We Leave goes down the tried and true path of many city building games but with a interesting point of difference.

Before We Leave has removed the conflict and conquering elements often present in the city building genre. Gone is the need to take over other civilisations and attack villages in your way. Before We Leave is all about furthering your world without bloodshed.

Trust the Kiwis at Balancing Monkey Games to come up with a game that is fun but also acceptable in a rapidly changing world. Anything that makes gaming more acceptable is a good thing in my books.

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Endzone – A World Apart Byte Size Review (PC)

Barrie Clarke 1434 Views ,  ,  , 

The year is, well, this year, 2021. And some nut jobs have finally gone too far and blown up nuclear power plants around the world. Some are lucky enough to seek shelter in an “Endzone” underground bunker, and now their offspring are returning to the surface, 150 years later. All sounds pretty familiar really.

Endzone – A World Apart is a city builder, a post-apocalyptic SimCity if you like. Very much like the enjoyable Frostpunk you are tasked with collecting resources, building a community and surviving the harsh environment that is now home.

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Loop Hero Review (PC)

Barrie Clarke 1230 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Sitting down to write this I thought I’d just have another quick run to get me ready. That was almost three hours ago.

Loop Hero, from small Indie developer Four Quarters, is one of those games. One quick run and next minute you have missed that meeting, forgotten to pick up the kids, or been unable to start writing that review. And at first glance Loop Hero doesn’t look like much. Definitely not something that will grab huge chunks of your precious gaming time.

Thankfully Devolver Digital saw differently and got this gem of a game out to the masses.

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Monster Jam – Steel Titans 2 Review (XSX)

Barrie Clarke 1524 Views ,  ,  ,  , 

Have to admit to not being a petrol head in any way, shape, or form. I actually don’t even have a Drivers Licence, well a Learners Licence from the mid 90’s but that doesn’t count.

But I have seen some of this Monster Truck shenanigans on the telly. And very entertaining it was. Games of this ilk are always interesting. The challenge of blending big silly trucks with real world physics is always going to be a challenge without losing the fun aspect. 

So how does this Monster Jam?

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Xbox Series X – The First 14 Days

Barrie Clarke 1592 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

I am one of the lucky ones. Despite constant doubt and rumours of supply shortages my Xbox Series X Pre Order was waiting for me instore on November 10th. I was working, it was a long day. This isn’t a deep dive into the hardware, or even the next gen games. This is a overarching opinion piece from someone who has been Xboxing since day one, almost 19 years ago.

I have be enveloped by the Xbox ecosystem, met great people online, suffered RROD, tried to dance and sing, been a rock god, and most importantly, loved the games.

Gaming is in my blood. At almost 50 years old there isn’t a day go by that I don’t play a game or at least do something related to gaming. And to my wife’s dismay, our teenager is following in my footsteps. I have owned countless consoles, PC’s, handhelds, all-in-one’s, and devices. From C64’s to Gizmondos. 386 PC’s to 3DS.

I love all gaming and am definitely not one caught up in fanboy, PC master race, console war rubbish. I want to play games. Nothing more, nothing less.

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Lets Sing Queen Byte Size Review (Xbox One X)

Barrie Clarke 1548 Views ,  , 

Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. Legends! Queen. Best. Band. Ever!

I have always loved Queen. In some ways it is the soundtrack to my youth. In my younger days I really enjoyed playing all the Lets Sing, Guitar Hero, and Rockband games.

I was never really any good at them but with a few mates and a few more beers, many a good time was had. Now with the experience that comes with age I realise how absolutely terrible I am at singing.

Will that knowledge stop me playing Lets Sing Queen? Well, yes, it probably will.

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