Byte Size Review

When 900 words is too much and about 250 will do.

GamingByte Size ReviewPlaystationPS5

Playstation Plus: Deluxe

Long have the benefits of Xbox’s “Gamepass” subscription service been touted on Koru-Cottage. It is the closest to the Nefilx-ification of gaming we have seen, and until now it has had no competition on console.

Finally Sony have come to the party with a 3-tier offering.

I have kindly been given access to Playstation Plus: Deluxe to see how it stacks up.

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GamingByte Size ReviewPC / Mac

Skábma – Snowfall (Byte sized review)

Skábma – Snowfall is the first video game to focus on the Sámi people of Northern Europe.

The Sámi are the indigenous people of Northernmost Europe. Their homeland is called Sámiland (Sápmi in Northern Sámi language). Sámiland extends through four countries: Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia.

Based on Sámi culture and steeped in both historical and mythological stories. Skábma – Snowfall sees you control Áilu, a young Sámi boy put in charge of the village reindeer.

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GamingByte Size ReviewPS4PS5Xbox Series SXbox Series X

Dynasty Warriors 9 – Empires Byte Size Review (XSX)

Dynasty Warriors 9 – Empires is the latest in the 1 vs 1000 style of Hack ‘n Slash action titles.

Empires is basically the same game as Dynasty Warriors 9 with an added layer of strategic simulation in play between battles. The genre that also includes the likes of Samurai Warriors and Warriors Orochi has always been an odd one to me.

The popularity in Eastern cultures is undeniable, less so in Western countries. The shear volume of releases points to them being financially viable at the very least.

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GamingByte Size ReviewPS5

Sifu, Byte Size Review

Difficulty in games is a tricky beast. Sure, some gamers like it “rough”, but others fear the savage Game Over screens of old.

So, hitting that sweet spot of challenge, accessibility and respecting gamers time is crucial. Especially for someone like me who struggles to find free time in daily life.

Sifu is a perfect example of the sweet spot of difficulty vs. demand for mastery of gameplay being a head-banging exercise in frustration.

Developer SloClap have released a game which I really, REALLY liked for about an hour or so, then grew to hate.

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GamingByte Size ReviewPC / Mac

Serious Sam Siberian Mayhem Byte Size Review (PC)

In an interesting move a bunch of Serious Sam 4 fans and modders have joined together and formed Timelock Studios.

And with the help and approval from Croteam, the developer behind the Serious Sam franchise, they have released Serious Sam Siberian Mayhem.

A 5-6 hour stand alone game based between the final two levels of Serious Sam 4.

Serious Sam has always been a not-so-serious run and gun franchise and Sam’s Mayhem in Siberia is just as un-serious.

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GamingByte Size ReviewPlaystationXbox OneXbox Series SXbox Series X

Ty the Tasmanian Tiger HD Byte Size Review (XSX)

Yet again I chuck on the rose-tinted glasses to revisit some good memories from the early days of the original Xbox.

This time it is a bit of an obscure HD remake in the form of Ty the Tasmanian Tiger.

Originally released in 2002 in the gaming vein of Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Banjo-Kazooie, Ty definitely hit a chord with New Zealand and Australian gamers.

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GamingByte Size ReviewNintendoSwitch ConsoleVideo Content

G-Darius HD, Switch review

The 90’s gave birth to some classic families of Arcade Games, and for the time the original G-Darius HD was among one of them. Now iningames.com have brought it back.

The formula is classic Arcade, side-scrolling shooter, Bullet Hell and Boss Fights. What could go wrong? Well, back in the day not a lot, it was challenging and fun with some interesting nuances.

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GamingByte Size ReviewPC / MacPS5Xbox Series X

Sniper Ghost Warrior: Contracts 2, PS5 Review

Another Guest Spot from our resident Rainbow 6 gamer-girl. Nina has taken a break from clearing rooms in CQB, and dipped into some long distance combat with this review of the new Sniper Ghost Warrior.

When I was presented with Sniper Ghost Warrior: Contracts 2 to play, I admit I was apathetic at best. It was a series I’d never played, from a studio I’d never heard of, tackling a genre I’d never been really interested in. But after sinking 15-20 hours of playtime into this game, I am more than happy to say that (we will just call it “Sniper” going forward) has totally exceeded my expectations.

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GamingByte Size ReviewPC / MacPS5Xbox Series X

Alan Wake Remastered: Have torch, will travel

Alan Wake is not your typical video game hero.

He’s not a former soldier skilled in the art of warfare or a wronged man out for revenge: He’s a writer in a tweed sports jacket with leather elbow pads (over the top of a hoodie) who runs out of puff after he’s sprinted for a few seconds. He’s an every day man.

Alice. He’s hoping to cure the writer’s block that has stifled his creative flow for two years but he quickly finds out that all is not what it seems in this seemingly sleepy town.

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GamingByte Size ReviewPC / MacPS4PS5Switch ConsoleXbox Series SXbox Series X

Gearshifters, PS5 Review

Gearshifters is a game that fits right into a classic arcade niche. Up until recently it was completely off my radar, but for catching a Tweet and having my fancy tickled. It turns out this indie game is right on the money.

Red Phantom Games have pulled out a fun, playable homage to cult car games and arcade shooters. Now, I’m off for one more go before bed.

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Byte Size ReviewGamingiOSSwitch Console

Super Arcade Football, Switch Byte Size review

Super Arcade Football, is absolutely a spiritual successor to any misty eyed memories of Sensible Soccer.

What more can I say, I’ve lived and loved Sensible over the years, my Amiga was never far away from the 5 1/4 floppy. When SWOS arrived I changed holiday plans around the release date, which didn’t go down too well. Yes there have been newer versions, but we needed something fresh and Super Arcade Football is the new challenger for that void.

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