Gaming Archives : koru-cottage.com

Game Reviews Gaming PC / Mac Video Content

Evil Genius 2: World Domination (PC review)

April 11, 2021April 11, 2021 Gerard Campbell Evil Genius 2, Management simulator, real-time strategy, Rebellion, Two Point Hospital

It’s hard work being an evil meglomaniacal dictator in Evil Genius 2, believe me.

I mean, between ensuring you have enough energy to keep the lights on in your ever-expanding lair where you’re plotting world domination, you also have to deal with workers (aka minions) who are more concerned with what’s for lunch.

A sequel to the original Evil Genius, a real-time strategy/world builder game from Elixir Games in 2004, Evil Genuis 2: World Domination has a real Austin Powers/Despicable Me feel to it.

Byte Size Review Gaming Indie Game PC / Mac Video Content

Endzone – A World Apart Byte Size Review (PC)

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

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.

Byte Size Review Gaming Nintendo Switch Console Video Content

Pioneers of Olive Town, Switch review

April 1, 2021April 1, 2021 Richard Armitt Busy Work, Farming Simulator, Harvest Moon, Manga, Story of Seasons, Wholesome

The Story of Seasons is a series that admittedly has escaped me, Pioneers of Olive Town being my first foray. Having experienced a fair bit of Harvest Moon over the years it was a fair bet I knew what I was getting into.

This time round and post an 2020 Animal Crossing addiction, I stumped up the cash in curiosity.

Pioneers of Olive Town is undoubtedly wholesome, comfortably reminding me of my Harvest Moon years. The jolly exchanges with the Mayor, the cute animals and safe sojourns into nearby caves.

Game Reviews Gaming PC / Mac PS5 Xbox Series S Xbox Series X

Doom: Eternal – The Ancient Gods Pt2 – Review

March 28, 2021March 28, 2021 Guy DOOM Eternal, Hell, id Software, Zombies

Doom: Eternal’s stunning balance of strategy and aggression won it a place on the much coveted “Guys Top 3 Games of 2020” list. Now, Doom: Eternal The Ancient Gods: Pt2 has dropped and I have happily descended back into the depths of DLC Hell to shoot some demons in the face.

Picking up from the cliff-hanger at the end of Ancient Gods: part 1. Doom-Guys doppelganger is the ‘champion of hell’ and needs to be dealt with.

As I said in my original review and my part 1 DLC write-up. Doom Eternal does not have a story worth worrying about.

Take it as read, it’s about Heaven vs Hell, demons and monsters….. and its honestly nonsensical shite, and not the reason we play Doom.

Gaming Hardware Hardware Reviews Microsoft PC / Mac Xbox Series S Xbox Series X

Xbox Wireless Headset

March 28, 2021March 28, 2021 Richard Armitt 3d Sound, Headphones, Microsoft, XBOX SERIES S, XBOX SERIES X

Yes, I got influenced, the Xbox Wireless Headset was not something I really needed, but seeing it flaunted on Socials and flying off the shelves. I decided I’d better shell out for a set before they were gone. So after seeing my local EB Games run out, I hit a quick ‘Click and Collect’ on the JB hiFi website and turned to my flexible friend.

I had an email from them by 6:30pm, and was dashing into late night shopping to pick it up by 7:30pm. No supply issues there.

Fortunately we’ve had a few Headsets run through the team in recent times. Wired, wireless and both first or third party.

At the end of the day, it’s about how they enhance your game time. The Xbox Wireless Headset is no exception, the first reveals promised a quality unit and they didn’t mislead.

Fresh out of the minimalistic packaging and box, which is more PS5 than Series X the new Headset smell is unmistakable.

Game Reviews Gaming Nintendo PC / Mac PS4 Switch Console Xbox One

Two Point Hospital Jumbo edition (Nintendo Switch)

March 26, 2021March 26, 2021 Gerard Campbell Bullfrog, Management simulator, strategy, Two Point Hospital

I’m just going to come out and say it: I’ve had a absolute blast playing Two Point Hospital Jumbo Edition on the Nintendo Switch.

A management sim where you have to build and manage hospitals (and staff) while more and more demands (and illnesses) are thrown at you, Two Point Hospital takes a lot of influences from Bullfrog’s Theme Hospital, a classic management sim from the past. Throw in a wicked sense of humour, and Two Point Hospital Jumbo Edition is just a delight to play.

Byte Size Review Gaming Indie Game PC / Mac

Loop Hero Review (PC)

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

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.

Game Reviews Gaming Playstation PS4 PS5 Sony

The Nioh Collection, Review (PS5)

March 10, 2021March 10, 2021 Guy 4K HDR, HD, Nioh, Souls-like., Team Ninja

The word “Remaster” tends to go hand in hand with a console generation change. Sony and Team Ninja have seen fit to take advantage of the grunt in the new PS5 and give us a spit ‘n’ polished Nioh 1 & 2 in “The Nioh Collection”.

I for one don’t tend to find a lot of joy in the soulslike space, but the wider contribution these types of titles have made to video gaming cannot be ignored.

Game Reviews Gaming Microsoft Playstation PS5 Xbox Series X

Monster Jam – Steel Titans 2 Review (XSX)

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

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?

Byte Size Review Gaming PC / Mac

Byte sized review: The Commission 1920

March 10, 2021 Gerard Campbell 1920, 302 Interactive, Gansters, Mafia, turn-based strategy games

A turn-based strategy game set in the 1920s. The Commission 1920 is a mafia-themed game unlike any other Mafia game I’d played before.

Tasking you in the role as a Don of a mafia family in the city of New Shore – the Bogianas, Calessis, Donanos, Junios and Roccas. This is a resource management sim where you exert your influence over the city to rise to the top. It’s a re-imagining of the original Commission game originally released in 2018 (a game I never played).

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