Child Of Light Video Game Review

Final Verdict - Definitely Worth Playing

Oh my freaking freak. Whats up gamers? Your friendly neighborhood gamer Zalgo Cometh here to bring you another video game review. Last week we checked out the free to play FPS game; Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Phantoms, this week we look at Child Of Light. Another game from Ubisoft which had garnered much attention recently at PAX East 2014. So lets go see what all that attention was about...

Child of Light is a platforming role-playing video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. The game puts players in the shoes of Aurora, a child stolen from her home, who, in her quest to return, must bring back the sun, the moon and the stars held captive by the mysterious Queen of the Night. Helped by her playable companion Igniculus the firefly and several unlikely allies, Aurora will face her darkest fears in this modern take on a coming-of-age story. Child Of Light was released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360 and Xbox One in April 2014.

What’s Good:

Replay value: This is a classic RPG with turn-based combat, 200+ skills to unlock, and 600+ crafting combinations for Oculi. There is no doubt that there is replay value abound in this game not to mention the various party members and attack strategies to utilize in battle.

Soundtrack: This is well executed and heartfelt as the overall tone and pace of the game is dictated or should I say indicated by the various sound track elements that help to submerge the player into the world of Lumeria.

Graphics: The game itself is powered by UbiArt Framework, an in-house engine by Ubisoft previously used for Rayman Origins and its sequel, Rayman Legends. So it has a cartoon but very artistic and detailed design, which is very vibrant and engaging providing the player with remarkable environments to transverse.

Story-line: The story at times can seem cliche but even so everyone enjoys a heartfelt adventure filled with danger and challenges to overcome. As Aurora travels and grows you discover more and more about the land and its inhabitants so your focus expands from just the central theme of rescuing Aurora and completing the primary objective of making it back home.

Game Mechanics: Well executed turn based system that has appeal to both the casual player and the more adept. By including attributes of a side-scroller with RPG elements such as leveling-up to increase stats over time, the game gives you varying aspects of the overall game-play to master. Combat and Non-Combat features of the game are smooth and easy to utilize which further promotes an enjoyable gaming experience.

What Should Have Been Added:

I would have liked to been able to fully use all the party members I gained instead of having to randomly switch out or not use some at all. I ended up playing this through mostly with just Norma and Aurora cause they had a good synergy for AOE attacks and Status effects. Possibly they could have either had bigger party limits to allow full use of a more diverse party strategy. Only other thing I can think of is maybe voice acting for the cut-scene parts of the game like the below picture.

Final Thoughts:

This game is very well done and the game industry definitely could use more games this well executed. Games that place a strong focus on the art of storytelling and creating a connection between player and character that lingers even after the game has been beaten. Being a gamer that thoroughly enjoys platformer games and RPGS (my two favorite game genres followed by fighting games) I am very thankful I got to experience this game. I'm happy it did not pass me by due to lack of hype or major advertising like we typically see for franchise titles. Feel free to check out the below gameplay with commentary we did for Child of Light...

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Strider Video Game Review

Final Verdict - Give It A Shot 

Well not much to say for this week's game review, This game has been sitting on my back burner for a while now but we finally found some time to jump into it. A classic franchise is reborn with improved graphics and an all new story-line to appeal to a new generation of gamers as well as placate the die-hard fans. So without further adieu lets start on our path as ninjas....

Strider is a side-scrolling platform game developed by Double Helix Games and Capcom's Osaka studio. It was released in February 2014 for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Windows. The player control the series' main character, Strider Hiryu. The environment is freely explorable in search for weapons and items. Strider Hiryu's main weapon is his Cypher, a plasma weapon that can take several properties. Upgrades for the Cypher can be obtained by exploring the various levels throughout the game. In 2009, a Strider reboot was in development by Grin. However, due to financial difficulties that bankrupted the company, the game was cancelled. Development of the 2014 game was made possible thanks to the series' popularity especially in thanks to Capcom's surveys and forums.

What’s Good:

Story-line: The game is considered a retelling of the first arcade Strider game with elements from the NES console game. So its nice to see the attention to nostalgia.

Graphics: Double Helix has done a phenomenal job in bringing the futuristic ninja into the modern day by upgrading the visuals while maintaining the two-dimension plane.

Game Mechanics: Robust game design with a wide variety of attacks, powerups and level interaction.

Replay value: Just enough replay value can be found in the various hidden areas of levels and added concept art rewards hidden through out levels for the die hard fans.

Soundtrack: The game's soundtrack features multiple homages to classic Strider themes but with several modifications. The sound quality is also meant to resemble the music from the original games.

What’s Bad:

Game Mechanics: They have utilized what I like to refer as the A.I. reload mechanic where if you go off screen the enemies you already cleared are reloaded and you have to fight them again. This deters you from actively wanting to explore a level for fear of dying.

What Should Have Been Added:

Pretty good for a standard 2-D side scrolling game but I feel the combo system was a bit lacking in depth.

Final Thoughts:

Solid reboot of the series no doubt; long time Strider fans will appreciate the nostalgia. The game certainly retains much of the appeal of the original games. From the reloading enemies, to the random A.I. difficulty spikes; the game is sure to bring a tear to your eye. Feel free to check out our game-play with commentary videos...

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What Are Your Origins?

Game Mechanics - 1.5/2

Story-line - 1.5/2

Graphics - 1.5/2

Soundtrack - 1.5/2

Replay Value - 1.5/2

 Total Score - 7/10

Come one come all as we take you on a ride to co-op town in this weeks video game review. We got ourselves into quite a pickle this week; had totally forgotten that remember me was coming out this week and had gone ahead and gotten some other footage recorded for this game. So ill probably try to do the Remember Me review next week but who knows. Need to revisit my gaming calendar and see what is coming out and such. Anywhore as you were; grab yourself a sat and enjoy this weeks game review of Rayman Origins. 

Rayman Origins is a platform game developed and published by Ubisoft for PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS and Microsoft Windows. The story follows Rayman, his friend Globox and two teensies as they fight Darktoons and other evil creatures that have infected the Glade of Dreams. Rayman Origins is a side-scrolling platformer, the same style as the original Rayman game. Rayman Origins is playable with up to four local players who may drop in or out at any time. Players can choose to control either Rayman, Globox or two Teensies, with additional costumes available as the game progresses. Players travel through each level, fighting enemies and rescuing imprisoned Electoons. As the game progresses, players gain new abilities such as running up walls, gliding in midair, swimming and shrinking in size to reach new areas. Certain segments also sees players riding a mosquito, where players can shoot enemies or suck them up and fire them. If a character is hit by an enemy or obstacle, he will inflate into a ballooned state until another player can bring him back into the game by slapping him.

What’s Good:

Nothing amazingly game changing about the platforming formula here. All your expected ins and outs are covered. The game provides a solid platforming experience with a few basic gimmicks here and there to keep you interested and challenged while playing whether with friends or all alone.

What’s Bad:

Nothing bad to make mention of or highlight as the game is pretty solid as far as your expected platforming game experience should go.

What Should Have Been Added:

Since its pretty much a solid experience all around I would be hard pressed to think of something that could be added. I could maybe go out on a limb and say make each character has like an elemental power attack or something that when you play co-op you combine attacks to better defeat bosses or go through levels.

Final Thoughts:

Solid platforming game with added fun when playing cooperatively with others. Nothing majorly game changing to report as far standing out is concerned but with the upcoming sequel due out this year there is a whole new world of features and additions coming our way. So at least there's that to look forward to; so until next time, keep on gaming...

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Now This Is How You Reboot A Series

Game Mechanics - 2/2

Story-line - 2/2

Graphics - 2/2

Soundtrack - 2/2

Replay Value - 1.5/2

 Total Score - 9.5/10

Guess who's back? No its not me this time its Lara croft brand new and better than ever. Welcome to another Friday video game review here on In The Mind Of My Mind with me your friendly neighborhood gamer Zalgo_Cometh. This week we got our special collectors edition copy of the new Tomb Raider game release. Boy oh boy this game did not disappoint at all. I simply could not stop playing it, there was so much to do and explore and level up. Stand up and take notice game developers; this is how a series reboot is done properly. Angry fan-boys sit your ass down and STFU cause this game truly does a superb job showcasing the origin story of Lara Croft.

Tomb Raider is an action-adventure platform video game. Published by Square Enix, Tomb Raider is the fifth title developed by Crystal Dynamics in the Tomb Raider franchise. As the first entry in a new Tomb Raider continuity, the game is a reboot that emphasizes the reconstructed origins of the culturally influential lead character Lara Croft. Tomb Raider was released on 5 March 2013 for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows to universal critical acclaim. Tomb Raider uses an interconnected hub-and-spoke model that combines action-adventure, platforming, exploration, and survival mechanics. The game is presented in third person perspective, and the player takes control of the lead character, Lara Croft. Karl Stewart, Global Brand Director for Crystal Dynamics; said that the game's campaign will last between 12 and 15 hours.

What’s Good:

Game Mechanics: wonderfully crafted skill and leveling system that helps you tailor Lara to your play-style  shape your Lara to be whether a conservative gatherer or a ruthless hunter. Camera control and angles are never an issue which is a surprising feat to accomplish for a third person shooter as this is typically the number one complaint of most gamer's with this genre. QTE (Quick time Events) are present in adequate portions and as seamlessly integrated into the flow of the game while still keeping you on your toes for the next button press.

Story-line: Solid story-line with a memorable cast and solid plot progression and interaction. Great voice acting to further pull you into the story as well coupled with drama, action and suspense as you discover bits and pieces of the islanders memories and the horrors they suffered.

Graphics: So beautiful and vivid it will bring a tear to the eyes of your soul. Both on PC and on consoles the graphics this game displays is truly a technical wonder. Sometimes you just stop playing to take a look at the immense scenery and soak it all in.

Soundtrack: Great song selection and auditory range. OST (Original Soundtrack) for the game is a joy to just sit and listen to as well. The wide use and range of auditory cues better helps to submerge the player into the island of Yamatai and the role of Lara Croft.

Replay Value: The multi-player is nothing  revolutionary but it is a solid multi-player experience. The true replay value comes from replaying the game to collect all the upgrades and relics and hidden secrets all over the island as well as returning to play the game on a higher difficulty, Simple enemy fights and interactions take on a whole new feel on a higher difficulty not to mention the increased importance on building up Lara's skill trees properly.

What’s Bad:

Absolutely nothing of noteworthy importance.

What Should Have Been Added:

Possibly a multi-player mode that has you playing as wolves hunting down the island survivors.

Final Thoughts:

Why are you still reading this? Go buy the goddamn game ASAP, its worth your time, money, love and devotion. Its without a doubt the best game to be released in 2012 so far. With so many good games scheduled for release in March  the wallet is taking some really hard hits. Bioshock Infinite comes out at the end of the month and so does Grid 2  but with all that said and done ill still be playing with Lara and coming home to spend time with her every chance I get. You can check out some of my game-play with commentary in glorious 1080p below.

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Hope You Don't Get Lost...

Game Mechanics - 1/2

Storyline - 2/2

Graphics - 1/2

Soundtrack - 1/2

Replay Value - 2/2

 Total Score - 7/10

Are ya ready kids? I can't hear you? Oh who lives in a pineapple under the....wait a sec wrong intro. Hey guys welcome to another video game review here with your friendly neighborhood gamer ZALGO_COMETH. Today we are going to be looking at  the recently released game titled "The Cave". Not one of the biggest releases for January as it was pretty much overshadowed by the release of the new "DmC: Devil May Cry" as well as "Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch". I opted to review this game because I feel it deserves some spotlight time as it is definitely worth a play; even more so if you are into puzzle solving and platforming. With that being said lets take a look at "The Cave".

The Cave is a platform-adventure video game developed by Double Fine Productions and distributed by Sega in January 2013 on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii U consoles via their respective storefronts and on Steam for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. The game was created by Ron Gilbert, building on an idea that he has had for nearly twenty years about a cave that lures people into it to explore their darker personality traits. The game borrows concepts from his earlier 1987 game, Maniac Mansion, in which the player initially selects three different characters from a cast of seven to explore the Cave. 

What’s Good:

Storyline; The Cave's story is based on a magical talking cave with a set of labyrinthine tunnels within it. Seven characters, drawn from across time and space and harboring dark secrets, have come to the Cave, believing they can "learn something about themselves and who they might become", as stated by Gilbert. As you play through the game you can unlock bits and pieces of each characters past that help the story unfold as the characters path to self discovery takes shape. This spans many areas and scenarios that are so verse that you undoubtedly will find yourself pulled into the story as it unfolds.

Replay Value; many of the game's puzzles require the three characters to work in coordination to complete, while some puzzles are specific to the unique abilities of a character; in this manner the Cave can only be fully explored through multiple play-through. With such a diverse set of characters to choose from and each with their own special ability you are guaranteed a multitude of different play-through experiences as you go about exploring the cave.

What’s Bad:

Soundtrack; honestly didn't really care for it. Don't even really remember feeling any bit of hype or suspense from the soundtrack. Was just there as an unimportant part of the game.

Game Mechanics; don't get me wrong the game mechanics of the game itself are ok but the fact that I had no idea what each persons special ability was even after trial and error to me is a big no no. So i feel like there should have been a better introduction or explanation of each character and what they are capable of so you can better choose your party of three to suit your play-style more. I ended up just picking who I thought looked cool.

What Should Have Been Added:

Not that the game lacked polish but in this day and age I feel like it could have used better graphics to help better bring across the importance of the cave and your surroundings as a whole. Hopefully there will be DLC to include more characters and possibly varying cave locations. They also needed a dedicated button to warp off screen players together because it got really tedious and annoying having to walk everyone together at times. I figure it might have been a better idea to make the co-op play split-screen so players have a better view and control of how they interact with each other.

Final Thoughts:

Overall "The Cave" provides a decent playing experience for anyone who decides to give it a shot. If you enjoy platforming games or puzzles you will definitely enjoy "The Cave". If you are just looking for a new game to try out as well I would recommend this as well. Hopefully if they make another one in the future they pick a better release window so the game can get a fair bit of exposure and not get overshadowed by bigger AAA titles.

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