Richard Armitt, Author at koru-cottage.com

DualSense, PS5 – don’t judge a Book by its Cover

Apr 14, 2020 Richard Armitt 3169 Views Dualsense, Dualshock, Haptic, Light Bar, Playstation 5, PS4, PS5, Share Button

Easter 2020 came early when Sony Interactive Entertainment revealed: “the first images and design details of the DualSense wireless controller, the new wireless controller for PlayStation 5”. Being a few days before the holiday weekend it certainly gave all the thirsty gamers something to discuss. Fervently.

Given the consumable nature of Social Media and the way it spreads virus-like at unknown speeds. It was not surprising that the negativity outweighed the positive commenters. Because “Its the internet” and “They are all bored on lockdown”. Here’s an idea:

DualSense: Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover.

All the discussion and ribald rivalry was only concerned with how the controller looked. The news being supported by a decent rap sheet of features was devoid of interest for many. Personally and to get it out of the way, I love the look. Love, love, love it, love the look.

Gaming Byte Size Review Nintendo Switch Console Video Content

Zombie Army Trilogy, Switch Review

Apr 12, 2020 Richard Armitt 3503 Views Rebellion, sniper elite, Zombie Army, Zombies

Zombie Army Trilogy on Switch, comes hot on the heels of last month’s spectacular Zombie Army 4. That’s a big pair of Jackboots to fill.

To be fair the Switch port does a good job and is a well rounded package, but really showing its age. The muted colours and old textures don’t do much to upgrade the experience. Although the sepia / grey-green landscape does a good job of highlighting collectibles.

As expected the game looks heaps better in portable mode. To be honest, that’s really why you want ZAT on Switch.

There are multiplayer options with Horde, on and offline, but being a stubbornly solo zombie killer I lack comrades.

Byte Size Review Gaming PS Vita PS4

Element Space, PS4 Review

Apr 7, 2020 Richard Armitt 2719 Views Blowfish, Element Space, Isometric, turn based, XCOM

Element Space was a big indie draw for me at PAXAus last year, sadly it didn’t make the show.

The Element Space attraction?

Well, an isometric turn based strategy game always goes down very well. The closer you are to Laser Squad, Enemy Unknown, XCOM the better. At the outset Element Space promised exactly some of that.

If the team had gone all in on the strategical map, added some verticality and destructible environments it would have been a no brainer. I love the action side of the game. I have to wait for the bugs to be patched out before I go further.

Element Space will be worth a pickup after a few fixes, I’m sure Blowfish will see it right.

Gaming Game Reviews PC / Mac PS4 Switch Console Xbox One

Darksiders: Genesis, PS4 Review

Mar 6, 2020 Richard Armitt 3154 Views Action RPG, Alienation, Darksiders, Dungeon Crawl, Zombieland

We were due to review Darksiders: Genesis late last year on PC, but didn’t have a rig that could run it.

Fast forward to 2020 and here we are with the console version for you to enjoy!

We’re not spoil for choice in this genre, so a quality welcome addition is a good thing. Darksiders: Genesis – is this the beginning of a reboot that’s going places?

Gaming Game Reviews PS4 PSNetwork PSVR

Dreams, PS4

Feb 19, 2020 Richard Armitt 4124 Views #MadeinDreams, Dreams, Little Big Planet, Media Molecule, PS4, Sony

How do you review something like Dreams? You can’t, not in the traditional sense anyway.

Dreams is an ever morphing mass, a creative community always shifting and growing and being unique. Each and every user will connect to the Dreamiverse (Media Molecule’s big concept) in different ways, wanting different things and walking away with a different take.

I have suffered with a condition most of my creative life. From school to now I always want to ‘do’ something. That something always escapes me, either the painting in my head is nothing like the art I produce or worse still life goals just never get it into the box. That was a soccer euphemism.

My condition is the age old struggle of Ambition vs Ability.

Dreams is bringing out the worst of that in me.

Gaming Game Reviews PC / Mac PS4 PSNetwork XBLA Xbox One

Zombie Army 4: Dead War, PS4 Review

Feb 7, 2020 Richard Armitt 3339 Views Rebellion, Rogue Trooper, Shooter, Strange Brigade, Third Person, Zombie Army

The Zombie Army franchise is one I’ve not picked up before, which is strange to me as Zombie Army 4 ticks so many boxes. The zombie genre is evergreen and whether you are a hardcore horror zombie fan, or kitsch, tongue through cheek zombie fan there is always something to sate your appetite.

From the Sniper stalwart slow-motion x-ray camera that crops up and shows your nut busting shot in all its glory. To the environmental hazards, topped only by the zombified Great White, that you wake and watch as it munches happily on the braindead.

Zombie Army 4 has everything I want in a great title, there is no overwrought narrative that pushes me away, it has drive to be completed and replayed. I’m sure there will be plenty of like minded Nazi Zombie killers online to team up with for a long time. It might be the setting, it’s more likely the gameplay.

It’s a game and fun one at that, if you want to play something alone or in a crowd with a big dumb grin on your chops. This is for you.

Game Pass Feature Article Nintendo PC / Mac PS4 PSVR Switch Console Xbox One

Happy New 2020 and putting a pin in 2019

Jan 16, 2020 Richard Armitt 2544 Views 2019, Barrie, Concrete Genie, Gerard, Guy, highlights, retrospective

The rest of the team have had their turn. It is interesting to see that we have all been touched by different games over the last 12 months.

The standout for Guy being Control, although we do agree on Blood and Truth being a landmark title for PSVR. Whereas Barrie loved Outer Worlds, I tried it, but wasn’t in the right space. Maybe I need to give it another spin now the fuss has died down. Gerard plumped for Plague Tale, which is title I have seen often recommended, but never looked close enough.

The great thing is, it looks like my Pile of Shame is about to get at least 3 games bigger.

Right now, looking back at 2019 we had some great titles to play and it really is hard to pull out a shortlist of favourites. That said, here’s my take.

Gaming Feature Article PC / Mac PS4 Switch Console Xbox One

2019 – How did it stack up? (The Gerard Edition)

Jan 16, 2020 Richard Armitt 2620 Views 2019, best games, Gerard, highlights, retrospective

I realised that I didn’t play that many games this year, which is kind of sad. Here’s to a better 2020 (and Cyberpunk 2077 on PS4 Pro, thanks to my kids pre-ordering it for me for my birthday).

These are the most notable highlights.

Regards,

Gerard

Gaming Feature Article Nintendo PS4 Switch Console Xbox One

2019 – How did it stack up? (The Guy Edition)

Jan 15, 2020 Richard Armitt 2951 Views 2019, best games, Guy, highlights, retrospective

Guy takes a quick spin around his highlights of 2019 in gaming, it’s a mixed bag topped off with the evergreen action of Destiny2.

Feature Article

2019 Xmas Gift List

Dec 23, 2019 Richard Armitt 2459 Views Bluemouth, Nintendo Switch, Playstation, XBOX, Xmas

This was supposed to be a cool Advent Calendar, but December ran away with itself and formatting became an issue.

So here are the survivors, things we can heartily recommend as Last Minute Gifts for the Gamer in your life.

Gaming Feature Article Hardware PS4 PSVR Video Content

3dRudder for PSVR : Q/A with Stanislas Chesnais

Dec 20, 2019 Richard Armitt 3505 Views 3dRudder, Bethesda, DoomVFR, No Man's Sky, Playstation, PSVR, Skyrim, Sony, The Wizards

We are no strangers to PSVR here at the site and its fair to say we are constantly surprised by the improvements being made in PSVR games. Something exciting on the horizon with future Australasian distribution is the 3dRudder.

As a feet-on experience it makes the difference and fills a gap. Anybody that has tried been challenged by movement in PSVR versions of Skyrim or DoomVFR (already on PC) would agree, if they were integrated 3dRudder would change the game.

Our thanks go to Stanislas Chesnais, CEO, for taking the time to answer our questions and hopefully pique some interest in the 3dRudder. Knowing The Wizards and wishing No Man’s Sky integration was on the horizon can’t wait to give it a spin. Literally.

Now, DoomVFR – time to lift your PSVR game.