Barrie Clarke, Author at koru-cottage.com

Resident Evil 2 (2019) Review – Xbox One X

February 1, 2019 Barrie Clarke 1323 Views Capcom, PS4, Remake, Resident Evil, XBOX

Even though this is a remake I don’t want to spoil anything for first time players or absent minded older gamers who are revisiting Raccoon City.

So consider this a SPOILER FREE REVIEW.

Now you would have to have been living under a rock not to have heard of Resident Evil, or Biohazard for those from Japan. The games have been around for over 2o years, along with comics, novels, toys, several movies, and now rumours that Netflix have a Resident Evil series in the works.

I guess that all this longevity and multi format content just shows how good the story and characters are in the Resident Evil Universe. Obviously this game isn’t the second release in the series but a remake of the 1998 version.

Byte Size Review Gaming PS4 Xbox One

Byte Size – Hitman 2 Review (Xbox One X)

January 27, 2019 Barrie Clarke 1230 Views Hitman; New Zealand; Hawkes Bay;

So everybody’s favourite barcoded bald badass is back and kicking things off in Hawkes Bay, here in good old New Zealand. Who knew we were such a haven for bad guys? Anyone who can make a shaved head and red tie look this good has got my attention, that is for sure. Assuming most, if not all gamers out there will have at least heard of Agent 47.

The Good – Well it’s Hitman isn’t it.

The Bad – If I had to pick on something it would have to be the visuals. Hitman 2, even with One X Enhancements, looks a bit dated.

The Loose Steering Wheel – As you can imagine, there is more than one way to skin a cat, or in this case knock off a bad dude along with other variables in each mission. This means more than a few plays through each assignment will be required.

Feature Article Game News XBLA Xbox One

2019 on Xbox. What’s to come?

January 8, 2019 Barrie Clarke 1040 Views 2019, Anthem, Crackdown, Gears of War, Metro, Microsoft, Sea of Thieves, The Division, XBOX

So here we are, a new year and a new slew of games to look forward to. Most have been in the mix for a while now so there are no real surprises here but still an impressive list none the less.

Personally I am looking forward to The Outer Worlds and Wasteland 3 the most, but am also keen have a crack at Anthem and Metro Exodus. And lets not forget that all Microsoft Studios titles will release straight to Game Pass so if you aren’t a subscriber what more reason do you need?

Cheers, Barrie.

Feature Article Game News XBLA Xbox One xbox360

New Family Settings and Tools for Cross-Play Now Available on Xbox

December 8, 2018 Barrie Clarke 1097 Views LIVE, Microsoft, XBOX

Microsoft recently announced the availability of cross-play updates to Family Settings on Xbox, which include two new settings parents can turn on and off in supported games, for both cross-network play and cross-network communication on any child or teen account.

With this update, Xbox is giving parents more choice in managing child and teen accounts for cross-network gaming scenarios.

Feature Article Game News Hardware Xbox One

Xbox Adaptive Controller Now In New Zealand

December 8, 2018 Barrie Clarke 1012 Views Adaptive Controller, Microsoft, XBOX

Microsoft is proud to announce that the Xbox Adaptive Controller is available for purchase in New Zealand for $139.99.

It is a first-of-its-kind device as an affordable, easy-to-set-up and readily available Xbox Wireless Controller designed for gamers with limited mobility.

Byte Size Review PS4 PSNetwork XBLA Xbox One

Byte Size – Farming Simulator 19 (Xbox One X)

November 30, 2018 Barrie Clarke 1265 Views Byte Size, Farming Simulator, Grass

Bit of a niche title this one. So I thought I would try out our new ‘byte size’ review format.

The Farming Simulator franchise has been around for a while now and in doing so proves that there is a market for simulated farming. Who knows, with all the millions of dollars of equipment replicated in the game maybe it is real farmers just wanting to play with the fancy tools of their trade.

The Good – Toys!

The Bad – Clunky controls

The Ugly – It’s a bit like watching grass grow…

Game Reviews Gaming PS4 Xbox One

Battlefield V Review (Xbox One X)

November 21, 2018 Barrie Clarke 1217 Views Battlefield, EA, Multiplayer, Online

Following the harrowing World War 1 shooter, Battlefield 1, is the sixteenth Battlefield release, Battlefield V. So the first release was ‘1942’, the third ‘2’, the fifteenth ’1’, and the sixteenth ‘V’… For those trying to work out the naming sequence going on here, please, let me know when you have it. Anyway its back to World War 2 we go and an even more multiplayer centric experience, along with a move away from historical accuracy in the name of fun.

Fair enough, at least we know where we stand and know not to pick holes in the detail.

Game Reviews Gaming PS4 Xbox One

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Review (Xbox One X)

November 4, 2018 Barrie Clarke 1303 Views Animus, Assassin's Creed, Ubisoft

I’m a bit late to the party this time around thanks to a family holiday so many will have played and finished, or added Assassin’s Creed Odyssey to the ‘I’ll come back to it’ pile (come on, we all have one).

To me it screams Assassin’s Creed Origins, new era and location but still very familiar. Now this is not a bad thing as you can read here, but it still stays out to the side of the Assassins and Templars of old. I guess Ubisoft are opening the franchise up and allowing a good game to emerge without staying too true to canon. Lets face it, recent games have all but done away with the Animus and present time sections.

I should just be enjoying Assassin’s Creed Odyssey as a game on its own merits because lets face it, Spartan kicking dudes off a cliff just doesn’t get old.

Game Reviews Gaming PS4 Xbox One

Valkyria Chronicles 4 Review (Xbox One X)

October 3, 2018 Barrie Clarke 1438 Views ANIME, Valkyrie

This is my first delve into the Valkyria Chronicles and starting with number four has left me playing catch up with the characters and world of the Federation and the Empire. And being a hugely story driven game I really do feel at a disadvantage.

I get that it is fictional, Japanese, and aimed at a certain market but I just can not warm to the characters at all. Even in their totally impractical, and inappropriate, uniforms…

Game Reviews Gaming Xbox One

State of Decay 2 – Daybreak Pack (Xbox One X)

October 3, 2018 Barrie Clarke 1369 Views Microsoft, State of Decay, XBOX, Zombies

Daybreak is the first real add on for Undead Labs great zombie survival game, State of Decay 2. There have been some weapons and cars made available via DLC, but nothing substantial.

Now six months after the initial game release will have seen most gamers, including myself, having moved on from State of Decay 2. And with so many great releases recently and in the near future it would have to be something pretty spectacular to draw gamers back in.

Game Reviews Gaming Xbox One

Forza Horizon 4 Review (Xbox One X)

September 26, 2018 Barrie Clarke 1195 Views Forza, Microsoft, XBOX

This time round we find the Horizon Festival taking place in the UK, near Edinburgh, and the big talking point is seasons. Different seasons bring different weather and, of course, different driving conditions.

It’s Forza Horizon. We all know it, we all love it. The fourth release in the series does not disappoint. It is more refined, more social, and most importantly more open.