Barrie Clarke, Author at koru-cottage.com

May 23, 2021May 23, 2021 Barrie Clarke 839 Views Capcom, Resident Evil, The Village

Resident Evil Village Spoiler Free Review

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.

Gaming Byte Size Review PC / Mac

May 16, 2021 Barrie Clarke 706 Views city builder, Non-violent, Steam

Before We Leave Byte Size Review (PC)

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.

Gaming Byte Size Review Indie Game PC / Mac Video Content

April 4, 2021April 4, 2021 Barrie Clarke 1239 Views city builder, Post Apocalyptic, Steam, strategy

Endzone – A World Apart Byte Size Review (PC)

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.

Gaming Byte Size Review Indie Game PC / Mac

March 23, 2021March 23, 2021 Barrie Clarke 999 Views Devolver Digital, indie, indie game, Loop Hero, Retro, rogue-like

Loop Hero Review (PC)

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.

Gaming Game Reviews Microsoft Playstation PS5 Xbox Series X

March 10, 2021 Barrie Clarke 1236 Views Grave Digger, Koch Media, Monster Jam, MONSTER TRUCKS!, Trucks

Monster Jam – Steel Titans 2 Review (XSX)

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?

Gaming Feature Article Indie Game Microsoft Xbox Series X

November 29, 2020November 29, 2020 Barrie Clarke 1391 Views 4K HDR, Assassin's Creed, Gears of War, Microsoft, Touryst, Valhalla, XBOX SERIES X, Yakuza

Xbox Series X – The First 14 Days

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.

Gaming Byte Size Review PS4 Switch Console Xbox One

November 21, 2020November 21, 2020 Barrie Clarke 1284 Views Lets Sing, Music, Queen

Lets Sing Queen Byte Size Review (Xbox One X)

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.

Gaming Game Reviews PC / Mac PS4 Xbox One Xbox Series X

October 28, 2020 Barrie Clarke 1468 Views Monkey Army, Open World, Stranded, Survival

The Survivalists Review (Xbox One X)

Team 17 ventures into well known territory with The Survivalists.

And not a worm or Holy Hand Grenade in sight. The Survivalists has you in a familiar situation of being shipwrecked on an unknown island and having to plan your escape, and survival.

Thankfully you don’t have to go it alone on this island. The local monkeys are willing to help you out for the price of some food or their freedom from caged life.

So if you have ever wanted to raise a monkey army then here is your chance.

Gaming Byte Size Review PC / Mac

October 12, 2020October 12, 2020 Barrie Clarke 1740 Views Real Time Tactics, real-time strategy

Partisans 1941, Byte Size Review (PC)

It definitely isn’t all quiet on the Eastern Front in Partisans 1941, as the Germans push forward in an attempt to occupy the Soviet Union in the name of the Fuhrer.

As a proud child of the Motherland it is your duty to gather fellow Partisans and protect your homeland from the invaders.

So gather up your warmest coat, some vodka, and a trusty weapon and lets kick those nasty Germans back to Berlin.

Gaming Game Reviews PS4 PS5 Xbox One Xbox Series X

October 5, 2020October 10, 2020 Barrie Clarke 1435 Views Crotch Rocket, Forza, Motorbike, Motorcycle, Ride

Ride 4 Review (Xbox One X)

Here in New Zealand Spring is in full swing and the weather is warming up. Cue all the fair weather motorcycle riders dusting off their leathers. I prefer to take to two wheels in a safer manner, from the comfort of the couch. And the Ride Series has been cruising along since 2015 for just that purpose.

And here in 2020 is Ride 4.

So the time is here to dress in tight leather and stick some high powered machinery between my legs. Lets ride!

Gaming Game Reviews Indie Game PC / Mac PS4 Xbox One

September 18, 2020September 18, 2020 Barrie Clarke 933 Views EDM, Music, Rhythm Games, Rock

No Straight Roads – Byte Size Review (PC)

In No Straight Roads self confessed hard core rockers Mayday and Zuke are out to take down the powers of Vinyl City and their music of choice, EDM!

As a big rock fan myself it is easy to side with our rocking duo and take the fight to the evil EDM empire.

There is only one small problem with the pair who are collectively known as the Indie rock band Bunk Bed Junction. That is that their music, in my opinion, is not even remotely rock.

Ignoring that small point, lets rock on and take down that nasty EDM!