Byte Size Review

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

Fledgling Heroes Feature
Byte Size ReviewIndie GameiOSSwitch ConsoleVideo Content

Fledgling Heroes (Nintendo Switch), Byte sized review

Gerard Campbell 1155 Views ,  ,  ,  , 

Side-scrolling game Fledgling Heroes is bright, colourful, easy to play – and I’m having a great time with it, despite not being the target demographic.

Most likely aimed at young children due to its bright and cheerful visuals, Australian developer Subtle Boom’s Fledgling Heroes first appeared on the Apple Arcade but now it’s on Nintendo’s platform.

It’s reminiscent of that Flappy Bird game that was all the rage a few years ago but it’s much better, with a charming visual style.

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Heroes of Zombie Army Trilogy
GamingByte Size ReviewNintendoSwitch ConsoleVideo Content

Zombie Army Trilogy, Switch Review

Richard Armitt 1854 Views ,  ,  , 

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.

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Element Space Logo
Byte Size ReviewGamingPS VitaPS4

Element Space, PS4 Review

Richard Armitt 1129 Views ,  ,  ,  , 

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.

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GamingByte Size ReviewPC / MacPS4Xbox One

Control: The Foundation DLC, PS4 Review

Guy 1302 Views , 

Control was my game of the year in 2019, so the prospect of a big ol’ chunk of DLC (The Foundation) was music to my ears.

And, I am happy to report that Remedy Games have gone beyond time and space again! “The Foundation” DLC has all the stunning level design, unsettling tone and addictive gameplay that made the main game unmissable last year.

The Oldest House has been compromised in its foundations, hence the name. I won’t get bogged down in the details. Jesse needs to pick up her Director’s Pistol again and head into the caverns under The Oldest House to figure out what’s going on.

If you played Control last year and enjoyed it, then the choice is simple. Buy this DLC  you will not be sorry.

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GamingByte Size ReviewGame ReviewsPS4Xbox One

Warriors Orochi 4 – Ultimate Review (Xbox One X)

Barrie Clarke 1569 Views ,  ,  , 

Following several months after the release of the vanilla edition comes the Ultimate Edition of Warriors Orochi 4. What makes it the Ultimate Edition?

Well the addition of 7 extra characters, that is what. You now have 177 playable characters at you disposal. So basically nothing new here.

For those unfamiliar with the Warriors Orochi series it is a 3rd Person Hack ‘n Slash game based on the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors games.

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PataPon2
GamingByte Size ReviewPS4

Byte Size – Patapon 2: Remastered (PS4 Review)

Guy 2674 Views ,  ,  , 

You know those songs that just get stuck in your head? A tune or song that you will catch yourself humming along too, when having a shower or hanging out the washing. Well, prepare to have a new song bury itself into your subconscious! “Pata-Pata-Pata-Pon”. Patapon 2: Remastered is exactly that…a remastered version of the 2009 PSP title Patapon 2.

It has been up-rezzed to 1080p/4K for the PS4 and had its music refreshed, but that’s about it. The core of the game is unchanged, in fact it fells like bit of a blast from the past in a way. As music rhythm games don’t tend to be as big as they used to be.

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Stranger's Wrath HD
GamingByte Size ReviewNintendoSwitch ConsoleXBLA

Stranger’s Wrath HD. An old Oddworld favourite with a new lick of paint

Gerard Campbell 1116 Views ,  , 

When the esteemed editor of this fine online publication asked if I was keen to look at Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD on Nintendo’s Switch, I didn’t hesitate saying yes.

You see, dear readers. I had just finished watching a fascinating documentary from Ars Technica on the Oddworld series creator Lorne Lanning. Who regaled viewers about his journey from poor kid in New England (near New York) to concept artists in a US military company to co-founder of development studio Oddworld Inhabitants. (The documentary is well worth a watch (there is also a two-hour plus extended interview with Lanning), as are the remainder of Ars’ War Stories documentaries.)

Released on the original Xbox 15 years ago. Stranger’s Wrath HD is a mix of third-person and first-person action that doesn’t feature downtrodden Abe. The hero of previous Oddworld games. In his stead, a mysterious brooding stranger who must bounty hunt his way through the game world to earn enough Moolah (the in-game currency) to pay for a life-saving operation.

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Shenmue 3
GamingByte Size ReviewPS4Xbox One

Shenmue 3, Review

Gerard Campbell 1357 Views ,  , 

I never played the original Shenmue, released 18 years ago on the Dreamcast, nor did I play Shenmue 2, so I went into Syu Suzuki’s (crowd funded) third Shenmue game (Shenmue 3) without rose-tinted glasses on or a feeling of nostalgia.

I’ve decided Shenmue 3 is a strange mix of old gaming mechanics wrapped up in a modern, shiny new skin – and I’m not sure it works entirely well in today’s modern gaming landscape.

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Espire 1 VR Operative
GamingByte Size ReviewPC / MacPS4PSVRVideo Content

Espire 1: VR Operative, PSVR Review

Guy 1318 Views ,  ,  ,  , 

Espire 1: VR Operative was touted as a fully immersive Splinter Cell-esque type VR game. Which was music to my ears and the slick launch trailer just added to my hype levels.

The game is built around the idea of taking remote-control of a stealthy Espire Robot. Then infiltrating various buildings and factory type levels to take down armed terrorists. An Espire unit can use an array of gadgets, guns and even navigate levels full of verticality with its magnetic hands.

Like I said, a really cool premise.

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New Super Lucky's Tale
GamingByte Size ReviewNintendoSwitch ConsoleVideo ContentXbox One

New Super Lucky’s Tale, Nintendo Switch

Richard Armitt 1333 Views ,  , 

New Super Lucky’s Tale obviously treads well worn ground, and the Switch is the place for cutesy platformers. I did not play Super Lucky last time around when it graced the Xbox. In fact I haven’t played many platformers for a good while. The simple crux is, Super Lucky does the job well, it’s a joy to play.

Everything the game does it does well, without layers of complexity. There is no need to add depth, New Super Lucky’s Tale is here to scratch the itch of the classic platforming addict. Nice to look at and fun to play in this high paced disposable world, here’s a few hours of pleasant-ness.

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Neo Cab - Drive!
GamingByte Size ReviewNintendoSwitch Console

Neo Cab review (Nintendo Switch)

Gerard Campbell 1067 Views ,  ,  , 

Essentially, Neo Cab is a taxi simulator set in the future.

Where automated cars dominate the ride share business and you drive the only human-driven cab in the region. You play as Lina. A driver for Neo Cab who has uprooted her stable life and moved to Capra City, all for the sake of friendship and maybe love.

Neo Cab’s slow-boil story is not going to be for every gamer. Especially for those with itchy trigger fingers crafted through years of Call of Battlefield or other first person combat games. Neo Cab is a snail’s pace game, one that develops the more you progress.

Worth a look if you like games that try something a little bit different.

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