thecou..toolkit

The Medium is a psychological horror game that takes clear inspiration from genre classics such as Silent Hill and Resident Evil, but often fails to solidify a meaningful identity of its own. 

Bloober Team is a development studio that prides itself on creating bold, unorthodox horror experiences that make the player feel uneasy, and its back catalogue is concrete proof of such an achievement. It has explored classic franchises, original stories and a rich variety of settings with mixed results, but the company’s now tackling its biggest project yet with The Medium. 

The Medium follows a young girl known as Marianne, as she finds herself summoned to an abandoned holiday resort in the Polish countryside, spurred onward by a mysterious phone call begging her to stop a deadly, unknown force. She’s the only one who can stop it, partly because Marianne has the ability to glimpse into the afterlife, communicating with lost souls to help them move on to the other side. 

Related: Best PS5 Games

Bloober Team takes inspiration from survival horror classics with mixed results

• An ambitious survival horror that takes influence from classics such as Silent Hill and Resident Evil 
• Players can explore two different planes of reality at the same time, leading to some fascinating puzzles 

It’s a novel concept that immediately echoes Konami’s Silent Hill franchise with its dark colour palette. The other side is awash with rusted, clay-like environments that emphasise the rot that manifests from the absence of human touch. It’s immediately striking and yet it fails to shake itself up in a meaningful way past the opening moments. 

Later sequences descend into the realm of eldritch horrors and imagery, which are meant to reflect the subconscious of certain characters but it rarely has the intended impact. The Medium seldom got under my skin, with many of its environments falling victim to a sense of routine that makes them easy to navigate. Mediocre creature designs and chase sequences serve to frustrate rather than unsettle, which is a shame. 

The Medium’s marque gimmick is that of split realities. There are a number of moments where the screen is split in half, one side depicting reality, while the other delves into the spirit world. Both worlds are controlled simultaneously, but the objects, enemies and circumstances of each reality are completely different. It’s an innovative approach to horror, but rarely puts you into scenarios that feel truly terrifying. 

Instead, you clumsily navigate functionally identical spaces with movement controls that hark back to classic survival horror in the worst possible ways. Marianne moves like you’re trying to shift a wardrobe down a tight set of stairs, bumping into corners and obstacles because the simple act of walking feels like an arduous task. 

Related: Resident Evil 8 

Such minor niggles hold The Medium back, which is unfortunate because the core premise is compelling. Marianne’s first steps into the abandoned resort are drenched in claustrophobic tension. She could walk away at any moment but the haunted mystery that oozes from this place spurs her onward. 

The soviet-era architecture hints at a political ideology doomed to fall apart, with advertisements on the wall painting the picture of a communist world that’s never explored. Instead, The Medium opts for a personal tale surrounding Marianne’s past and a select few characters that aren’t expanded upon enough to feel meaningful. It’s muddled, leading to a conclusion that strives to be deep and philosophical but instead just feels unsatisfying. 

It probably sounds like I’m being harsh, which isn’t the intention. As an interactive house of horrors, The Medium is perfectly functional, and even pushes the genre forward with its approach to horror design. But I’d argue it’s hurting itself by trying to imitate the likes of Silent Hill so deliberately, since it doesn’t have the creative vision to see such a homage through to the end. It reminds me of the Silent Hill film adaptations, which is no good thing. 

Related: Halo Infinite

The multiple realities mechanic never reaches its full potential

• Frustrating chase sequences and mediocre monster designs seriously hinder the horror 
• Narrative and characters sadly underwhelm and fail to capitalise on the setting 

Marianne isn’t capable of fighting back against the horrors that pursue her. The only option is to run or escape the alternate reality that is home to such monstrosities. Sometimes this is impossible, leading to chase sequences and environmental puzzles that require the outsmarting of enemies that can murder you in a single strike. 

Repetitious kill animations and unclear environmental cues can make moments such as this frustrating, as they don’t mesh with the stronger aspects of horror that The Medium has to offer. Silent Hill was so barbarously upsetting because it dared to contort imagery and themes we viewed as normal, showing how otherworldly horrors could so easily sink into our daily lives. 

Bloober Team tries to imitate this approach, and achieves it in terms of atmosphere, but The Medium’s overall aesthetic is forgettable. Its strongest moments are when you’re free to explore huge locales that feel pulled straight from the troubled pages of history, filled with the artefacts of lives that were once lived to their fullest. This fades away as Marianne is pulled into another reality, replacing glimpses of suburbia with grotesque imagery that seldom has any meaning. 

I find horror to be most effective when it preys on things we find familiar, perverting the comfort we find in friends, family and a place to call home. Delving too far into body horror and nonsensical monsters results in it coming across as comical, a flaw that is present in The Medium’s monster designs. Compared to its forebears, the creatures that stalk Marianne feel goofy and unthreatening, held back further by dialogue that attempts to be deep and subversive but simply isn’t. 

Related: Breath of the Wild 2

The Medium does dare to explore some controversial themes, with one character hinted to be involved in cannibalism or paedophilia, taboo subjects that games have never tried to explore with such conviction. To its credit, Bloober Team has achieved such commentary admirably, yet it often skates around the thematic elements instead of confronting them directly. People are messed up, and sometimes can’t be forgiven, and The Medium makes this perfectly clear.

I wanted the narrative to delve into the machinations behind this ruined soviet paradise, but instead it wants to explore the backstories of characters who aren’t interesting in the slightest. I didn’t care for their personal connection to this place, since it was pulling away from what made it so alluring. Not everything needs an answer or to be tied up with a neat little bow, and the best examples of horror acknowledge this.

Bloober Team has been burdened with some unforeseen expectations with The Medium. Acting as one of the first major exclusives for Xbox Series X/S, many players will expect it to be a visual showcase for the platform. To its credit, Bloober Team has produced a gorgeous survival horror experience here, with the split realities allowing the game to explore a selection of different tones, environments and ideas that shine on the new consoles.

Related: Hellblade 2 

But it does suffer from performance issues, even on the flagship console, with the dual realities sometimes proving too much for the hardware. Bloober Team has had trouble with optimisation issues in the past, so I imagine this is the more likely culprit than the Xbox Series X failing to keep up. If you want a peerless visual showcase, simply jump onto a capable gaming PC.

The Medium Review – Verdict

The Medium is an enjoyable survival horror that’s held back by a lacklustre narrative and a signature mechanic that never reaches its full potential.

Even with Silent Hill composer Akira Yamaoka’s score ringing across its twisted soviet world, Bloober Team’s latest project pales in comparison to the legends that came before it.

It focuses so passionately on the visual aspect of such beloved titles that the game underbakes the psychological dough that makes such classics so beloved in the first place.

The post The Medium appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Super Mario 3D World is an anomaly in the world of Nintendo platformers. It’s both a classic homage to the structure of its 2D origins, and a bold exploration of new ideas that refuses to abide by the standards set by the Super Mario Galaxy series before it. 

It’s also daringly simplistic, hurling players onto a board of worlds with distinct themes and locales, before giving them the freedom to progress through levels alone or with a group of friends. This new port for the Nintendo Switch adds a few subtle enhancements, but the base game remains the same as it did back in 2013, and that’s no bad thing. 

However, it’s bolstered by the inclusion of Bowser’s Fury. This is a brief yet delightful adventure with an emphasis on Cat Mario as he explores an island in search of adorable feline collectibles. But be careful, our titular plumber must also avoid a calamitous depiction of Bowser who could awaken at any moment, twisting the world into a blistering hellscape of fire and brimstone. 

I can only talk about a selection of levels from Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury right now, despite much of it being a remaster. Putting aside such restrictions, it remains a masterfully executed platformer that’s a joy to play. Each level is immaculately designed, brimming with novel ideas and creative designs that instil a sense of wonder that few games can achieve. 

Related: Best Switch Games

After eight long years, this is still Nintendo platforming at its best

• Fans of the original will find the core experience intact, but enhanced with improved contrls and shinier visuals 
• This is still one of Mario’s finest platformers, and will be a new outing for millions on Switch

Super Mario 3D World doesn’t open with Princess Peach being kidnapped. Bowser clearly isn’t into her anymore, opting instead to imprison fairy-like creatures known as Sprixies, spreading them across the land for Mario, Luigi, Toad and Peach to uncover. I opted for my main-man Luigi, who is easily the most stylish of the quartet as he dashes across each stage with a lovable dose of clumsiness. 

Each character controls differently, although the basic act of running, jumping and throwing remains consistent through all of them. Playing alone allows each level to feel like a meditative exercise in hoovering up all three green stars and the elusive hidden stamp, while bringing a few friends into the mix unleashes untold amounts of chaos. 

I found myself erupting into bouts of laughter as I accidentally hurled allies into the abyss, dwindling our lives down as we slowly but surely reached the finish line. Fortunately, 3D World makes a few useful concessions, so multiplayer doesn’t turn into a bloodbath. Power-ups are shared, meaning if someone picks up four fire flowers by mistake then they can still be distributed evenly. 

Some hidden items are also much easier to find with a friend, alleviating the need for precision platforming. Those still after a sinister slice of competition will be happy to learn the crown makes a return, planting a gaudy monument to victory on the head of one player at the end of stage. It can be callously stolen, making multiplayer sessions anarchic jumbles of cloddish competition that fit the tone of 3D World beautifully. 

Related: Upcoming Switch Games

Whether alone or with friends, 3D World is an absolute delight

This port also incorporates online multiplayer functionality, which through testing worked very well indeed, displaying minimal latency. Progress is tied to the player who opens the lobby, meaning you’ll need to earn stars and other collectibles for a second time in your own world. I prefer this approach, since there’s a huge difference between playing alone and with an avaricious group of friends. 

3D World’s opening four worlds follow the archetypes you’d expect from the franchise. Green hills, scorching deserts and snow-covered mountains are all present and accounted for. Aside from the expected arenas, each world houses a healthy number of excellent surprises that go against the grain of Mario’s usual design conventions. 

One stage places an emphasis on shadows as they emit pitch-black spectres onto walls, forcing me to reconsider my perspective and move towards the screen in pursuit of new discoveries. Another introduces new cherry power-ups that allow Mario to multiply. You’ll need to bring as many versions of yourself to the finish line as possible to activate platforms and panels, an act that’s made infinitely easier with two or more players. 

Moments such as this help 3D World shine as it hurls out creative highlights that other platformers would sacrifice so much for – but here they’re a dime a dozen, cementing how Nintendo remain masters of the genre. I’ll admit that 3D World is rather simplistic in its design, doing away with any semblance of a hub world or progression beyond its core collectibles. This might be a drawback for some, just as it was back in 2013. 

Related: Breath of the Wild 2

Bowser’s Fury is an inventive expansion with so many cool ideas

• Bowser’s Fury is a brilliant expansion of the ideas first explored in 3D World and Odyssey
• Working alongside Bowser Jr is a fun twist on co-op mechanics, making you think outside the box 

Bowser’s Fury exists independently of 3D World, and can be selected from the main menu. You play as Mario, although a second player can take control of Bowser Jr so you take down enemies and hunt after Cat Shines together. The premise is simple: Mario finds himself in a new realm that’s been taken over by a mysterious darkness. Even Bowser has been affected, with his adorable son begging our hero for help. 

He cries for help while displaying a cutesy selection of hand-painted illustrations, getting his point across without a single line of dialogue. From here, you’re given ample freedom to explore a selection of land masses that feel like fully fledged levels in their own right. I can only speak about the opening areas, but it honestly feels like a cohesive mixture of 3D World and the open elements of Super Mario Odyssey. 

The showdown with Fury Bowser channels the spirit of classic kaiju cinema, as you grow into a towering feline known as Giga Cat. Now on a level playing field, the prehistoric pariah has to do battle with a plumber with a sudden interest in the furry community. I’ll be able to talk about this expansion in greater detail once the full review rolls around – but for now, it feels like something that returning players will adore. 

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury Preview – First impressions

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is both a welcome return for a platforming classic and a novel expansion of what made it so special back on the Wii U. 

There’s a solid chance that millions of players missed out on its excellence back in 2013, so now is the perfect time to take it for a spin. 

My only concern is the brevity of Bowser’s Fury, which is honestly one of the only concrete reasons for returning players to pick this up beyond a few quality of life improvements.

The post Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury Preview appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Remedy Entertainment’s latest smash hit has finally made its way to Nintendo Switch with Control Ultimate Edition – Cloud Version, but do the shortcomings surrounding cloud gaming outweigh the joy of playing one of 2019’s best titles? Let’s find out.

With the PS5 and Xbox Series X now here to stay, the Nintendo Switch finds itself in a bit of a no man’s land. The system has enjoyed a healthy dose of ports from third-party developers, with some that work surprisingly well (see The Witcher 3), and some not so well (see The Outer Worlds). However, with hardware racing ahead, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to optimise these demanding games for the Switch’s specs.

To remedy this, you’ll notice that cloud gaming has been creeping into the Nintendo eShop. Starting with the Japan-exclusive Resident Evil 7: Cloud Edition in 2018, the title has inspired two other big games to follow suit: Hitman 3 and today’s focus, Control.

I’ll happily admit that my opinion on cloud gaming has changed a great deal following the release of Cyberpunk 2077 on Google Stadia. Sure, the game itself has plenty of problems that need to be ironed out, but the benefit of bypassing downloads and updates, all while diving into a game the moment it’s released, has left a positive impact.

Related: Persona 5 Strikers Preview

Playing Control on the cloud is both a blessing and a curse

I still enjoy the flexibility Stadia offers in letting you start a session in one room and move it to another with minimal fuss, but the cloud system just flies in the face of the aspect that has made the Switch such a unique console: portability.

Normally a Switch title would traditionally let you continue the fun without leaving the house, Control Cloud Version’s reliance on a constant internet connection means that the notion of playing the game on public transport or anywhere other than your home is out of the question.

Those who are happy to deal with these issues will then have to ensure that their internet provider is up to the task. For cloud gaming, the recommendation is for a stable connection of at least 15Mbps for content to be playable.

However, in order to make things easier, Control on Switch has two separate streaming options to cater to your internet connection: Enhanced Performance (running at 60fps) and Enhanced Graphics (running at 30fps). For reference, I have a download speed that usually stays within the range of 30-50Mbps, which ensures a largely smooth session with the performance-based option, and a good, if slightly slower, connection with the more graphically intense option.

Related: Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game – Complete Edition Review

One of the talking points during Cloud Version’s launch was that the Enhanced Graphics option would boast ray-tracing – a feature that’s deemed cutting-edge on the PS5 and Xbox Series X but completely unheard of for the Nintendo Switch. While I can confirm the appearance of ray-tracing during gameplay, I must say that I’m disappointed with it being the only notable difference between the two streaming options, aside from the changes in frame rate.

No matter where I looked within the game, it was genuinely difficult to find any moments of considerable uptick where graphics are concerned. For that reason, I recommend sticking with the performance option. Even then, I found playing in handheld mode to be a more coherent experience than via the docking station, particularly as audio-sync issues tended to be more prevalent with the unit docked.

Despite all of these caveats, once I got into the game it was easy enough to get lost in the palpable atmosphere of uncertainty and the unyielding power of the supernatural that Control so brilliantly achieves. Only one issue genuinely stood in my way of enjoying the game on Switch, however: the queues.

Yes, you read that right. Much like any server, those hosting Control Cloud Version have a maximum capacity, and so if there are just too many players clogging up the system then you’ll have to sit and wait for your turn to play. I’ve been forced to sit in one of these queues three times thus far – and nothing dampens your enthusiasm for playing a game quite like staring at a screen, waiting to be the next person up.

Server queues and audio issues question whether Switch is ready for cloud gaming

It’s worth pointing out that players utilising the free trial of Control Cloud Version also contribute to the server load, something that’s likely to wind down as time goes on – but there’s no guarantee.

As I mentioned earlier, once you get past all of the faff that comes with cloud gaming, Control is a real treat to play. From the same developer as Alan Wake and Quantum Break, Control features the same type of sci-fi/action adventure narrative that made those earlier games from Remedy Entertainment so fun to play.

Stepping into the role of Jesse Faden, it’s up to you to infiltrate the mysterious Federal Bureau of Control and locate the whereabouts of Jesse’s brother. Before long, however, it becomes apparent that the Bureau has become overrun by a nefarious entity called ‘The Hiss’. In a neat twist, Jesse inadvertently becomes the new director of the Bureau, putting the task of destroying The Hiss squarely in your hands.

That’s about as much as I can say without spoiling the numerous layers of Control’s story that peel away as the game goes on, but as far as gameplay goes, Control actually shares a fair bit of similarity with Destroy All Humans. Just as with that title about alien invasion, Control also has you switching between fast-paced gunplay and feats of telekinesis to take down your enemies.

As the game progresses, and you unlock greater powers with which to toy, the gameplay becomes even more engaging, with Jesse turning into an undeniable badass. Luckily for Switch owners, all of Control’s DLC has been included in this package – hence the ‘Ultimate Edition’ moniker.

Verdict

I love Control – it’s one of the best games of the past few years and an easy recommendation in itself. However, if you have any other means of playing the game then we’d advise against opting for the Cloud Version for Nintendo Switch.

From the queues to the audio issues and even the disappointing Enhanced Graphics mode, the Cloud Version is arguably the worst way to play Control. If you have no other option – but do have a solid internet connection – then make sure you’re happy to put up with all the aforementioned caveats before snapping this one up.

The post Control Ultimate Edition – Cloud Version (Nintendo Switch) Review appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Persona 5 Strikers is a direct continuation of Atlus’ beloved JRPG in the mould of an action experience from the creators of  the hack and slash Dynasty Warriors series. While it might look simplistic on the surface, something far deeper awaits in this beautifully stylish adventure. 

Koei Tecmo is no stranger to taking on properties and giving them the Musou treatment, having adapted The Legend of Zelda and Fire Emblem in recent years with stunning results. However, it often leaves behind what made these games special in favour of a samey combat system that puts endless crowds of enemies far above meaningful strategy and narrative.

Fans generally jump into these titles for the fan service, not expecting them to achieve the same depth as their source material. Persona 5 Strikers is an exception to this rule, adapting many of the ideas, characters and themes that made the original game so special with stunning results. It feels more like an RPG with a real-time combat system than a Dynasty Warriors clone donning a new coat of paint, and because of that it shines. 

I’m only allowed to talk about the very first dungeon in Persona 5 Strikers as part of this preview, but that gives me more than enough to work with. The opening hours are filled with excellent story sequences, challenging battles and a stylish reverence that fits the world of Persona 5 beautifully. Taking place after the events of the original game, The Phantom Thieves have left their lives of stealing hearts behind in favour of something much scarier – furthering their education. 

Related: Best PS4 Games

Persona 5 Preview – An action-packed twist on the beloved RPG formula

While organising a summer vacation getaway to the country, our lovable group of rogues are caught up in yet another conspiracy rocking the city of Tokyo. A strange model is stealing the desires of her fans, causing them to act irrationally and turn against their loved ones. If you’re unfamiliar with Persona 5, the metaverse is another reality where dangerous creatures known as Shadows reside, and is also where all of the game’s dungeons are situated. 

Upon learning about this unacceptable tirade, The Phantom Thieves spring into action and seek to rescue those in peril. The majority of your favourite characters make a return. Joker, Ann, Ryuji and Morgana are all accounted for alongside their other classmates. Sadly, this is a continuation of vanilla Persona 5, so new characters and locations introduced in Royal are nowhere to be seen. This is unfortunate, and those just coming off the 2020 release will likely be a little taken aback.

But the narrative is still supremely engaging, thrusting The Phantom Thieves into another journey that once again depicts them as young outcasts fighting against an unfair system. Unlike the JRPG that preceded it, Strikers doesn’t dedicate a substantial amount of time to each character, because such bonds have already been established. These are a closely knit group of friends who love one another, and their connections drip through every line of expertly written dialogue. 

Sophia is a new character I’m absolutely smitten with. The red-haired girl is a humanoid AI who resides within Joker’s phone, acting as a source of knowledge for the party as they infiltrate jails and seek to uncover their targets in the real world. She’s cute, bubbly and a fish out of water for new players who may not have touched the original game. I sincerely hope her backstory is fleshed out further in the coming hours, since there’s a lot of potential yet to be tapped.

Related: Hitman 3 

Persona 5 Preview – Reunite with a deep and nuanced cast of characters

Instead, the focus is on the gang spending time with one another, returning to a temporary state of respite before pushing forward into their individual futures. It’s a bittersweet reunion, meaning I’ve found myself holding each moment close to my heart as it passes by. Thus far, there are less opportunities to venture out into the world for optional social events, with many now tied into the linear story, but such a change doesn’t make them any less charming. 

The social aspect of Persona 5 Strikers culminates in the Bond System, a new mechanic which allows you to purchase new skills and buffs for use in battle and when exploring dungeons. These can range from increased health and defense to unlocking chests of a higher rarity. Such additions add depth to a rather simplistic dungeon layout, encouraging exploration beyond chasing each new objective. 

Dungeons are known as Jails, and unlike Palaces before them, are situated in the real world. The first one is located in Downtown Shibuya, with the shopping district now dominated with gaudy decorations and deadly enemies which fit the aesthetic of Alice’s inner turmoil. This jail’s villain is a fashion designer and model who can establish romantic dominance over men, forcing them to do her bidding at every turn. 

As a result, the locale is tacky and overbearing in a way that reflects her inner subconscious. It’s gorgeous, with the art design shining through in spite of rough textures which can litter the environment on occasion. It’s clear this is pulling from the original Persona 5 in a number of ways, since it doesn’t meet the standards set by Royal visually. 

Related: Final Fantasy 16

Persona 5 Preview – Combat maintains the strategy fans will know and love

Combat in Persona 5 Strikers is blisteringly fast. You can switch between four characters at any time, each of which has their own selection of skills, abilities and Persona to command. While combat is a button-mashing affair to an extent, it incorporates elements of strategy that force you take a step back and consider the weaknesses of each new enemy. 

Every shadow has an elemental vulnerability to exploit, and acting upon it opens the way for all-out and showdown attacks for huge amounts of damage. In normal encounters you can largely ignore these techniques, but boss battles demand a level of strategic play that means, if you don’t use them your party will be wiped in a matter of seconds. It’s excellent, and does a surprisingly effective job of translating the base game mechanics into a real-time setting. 

Battles are also initiating when you’re caught by an enemy. This where Persona 5 Strikers’ heavy focus on stealth comes into play. Given their namesake, The Phantom Thieves like to stay in the shadows, only striking when the time is right. You can take cover behind walls, or pounce into the air and balance on street poles. Ambushing foes will immediately open them up to a special attack, making most casual fights a breeze. 

Related: Upcoming Xbox Series X Games

Strikers also has a surprising amount of platforming across its world, forcing you to think on your feet when it comes to reaching objectives and avoiding unwanted attention. It just feels more passionate than the likes of Hyrule Warriors, making a clear effort to ensure it belongs in the same lineage as the games that inspired it. The embargo prevents me from talking about certain elements I’ve come across, but it’s stupendously impressive thus far. 

While the campaign is largely linear, you will have opportunities to explore outside of jails. I was given free reign to visit various locations such as Shinjuku, Shibuya and the streets surrounding the cosy coffee house known as LeBlanc. However, beyond purchasing items for use in battle and conversing with a small number of characters, there isn’t much reason to do this. The Velvet Room returns, acting as a way to fuse and enhance personas, but takes more of a backseat this time around. 

Persona 5 Preview – Early Impressions

Persona 5 Strikers is far deeper than I expected it to be, so much so that it feels like a true successor to the RPG classic that preceded it. Most of the characters I love are here, and seeing their relationships grow fonder in the face of adversary is a rebellious joy.

While the battle system is a departure from what you might be familiar with, Koei Tecmo has translated over crucial mechanics to ensure it simply feels an evolution instead of a pale imitation. Once again, Atlus has produced what could be one of the year’s most charming games.

The post Persona 5 Strikers Preview: A lovingly crafted sequel to the JRPG classic appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Little Nightmares was a frighteningly unique platformer that preyed on our deepest fears in the most fascinating ways.

As a fearful young child, you ventured into a world dominated by all manner of terrors. Some felt comical, while others were expressed with such grotesque malignance that you couldn’t help but whimper away in desperation. Despite its visual splendour, Little Nightmares was often held back by a frustrating approach to level design that pushed needless trial and error to the forefront – something, sadly, its excellent sequel doesn’t rise above. 

However, these flaws aren’t enough to detract from what is an ambitious expansion of the original game, building upon its environmental scale and depiction of fear dramatically. Tarsier Studios has once again crafted a grim, unsettling and gorgeous platformer in a world that’s simply begging to be explored, even if the creatures that define it are constantly desperate to push you away. Just be prepared for this to get under your skin. 

Related: Best PS5 Games

• Little Nightmares 2 continues the narrative of the last game’s downloadable content
• Takes place in a world whose inhabitants are addicted to television and under control of The Thin Man
• The gameplay formula remains largely unchanged, but feels larger and more ambitious in scope

Little Nightmares begins in a mysterious forest, where you wake as young boy, Mono. The environment is drenched in a mixture of muted greys and blacks, almost like the world hopes to convey the uneasy screeching of a static image. This is fitting, since the inhabitants of this world have become addicted to television and enslaved by a deadly adversary known as The Thin Man. As Mono wakes up and looks around, his only choice is to move forward, hoping that the horrors that await can be overcome. 

Those who played the original game will recognise many of the characters and themes, with Little Nightmares 2 being a direct continuation of the original’s twisted narrative. That being said, prior knowledge definitely isn’t required to enjoy the game. Its storytelling is purposely abstract and lacking in voice acting, decisions that are all made to serve the distorted melancholy it presides within. As someone who played the first game several years ago and let it fade to memory, such an approach was more than welcome. 

I began making my way through the first level with rampant trepidation, stopping to poke and prod at every new object, both manmade and organic. A sack of rotting corpses hanging among the trees made it clear I didn’t belong here, and anyone who dared cross The Thin Man’s path could meet a similar fate. Little Nightmares 2 takes a diegetic approach to sound design, meaning the only utterances of audio would realistically be heard by Mono in their world. Immersion is heightened significantly because of this, making it clear the only means of escape is to push past whatever terrors lie in wait. 

Related: Hitman 3 Preview

Leaves crumble underfoot as I make my way through the forest, avoiding bear traps littering the floor and rocks falling from above that can crush me in one fell swoop. Death feels like a natural part of Little Nightmares 2, the shock value of a young child biting the dust in such gruesome ways reinforcing how ruthless its deranged setting can be. I adore this aspect, even if repeated deaths in the effort to solve puzzles nullify the horror of you facing the same enemies again and again. 

The forest is home to threats both human and natural, with the rotting canopy emerging onto a rotting wooden cabin that a decaying family calls home. I clumsily scramble atop of shelves and down the handles of drawers, praying that the inhabitants don’t spot me snooping around. Many of them are long dead, but a bulbous man with a disfigured face and a fully loaded shotgun are ready and waiting to greet me. 

But before facing off against him, I find a young girl locked away in the house. I think it’s the first game’s protagonist, but I could be wrong – all I know is she needs saving. I break her out, and together we flee from the shotgun-wielding menace into the swamplands that await outside. What follows is a thrilling chase sequence where we must hide behind fragile boxes in the wake of bullets, and sink beneath rotting waters praying we won’t need to come up for air. 

Related: Upcoming Xbox Series X Games

• Each level is themed around a certain environment or monster, such as the school or forest
• You’ll need to solve a variety of puzzles while also hiding from enemies using stealth mechanics
• Much of the campaign is spent with a companion who you can lead by the hand and with whom you can solve puzzles

Even when we finally manage to escape, safety still feels like a world away. Little Nightmares 2 never makes you feel relaxed, omitting a constant state of insecurity that instils a need to keep pushing forward, even if the result is a fleeting sense of escape from an undeniably broken world. The second stage provides us with a deeper insight into the society that underpins this world, and how they’ve become so easily ensnared by The Thin Man and his dystopian signals. 

This level takes us to a school situated within a monolithic structure that twists and turns almost like it’s alive, acting of its own accord. Children are depicted as feral, porcelain infants whose skulls burst into pieces on the slightest impact, leading to some satisfying combat sequences where you clobber them with hammers and pipes as they sprint towards you. But most of the time will be spent hiding, praying both the students and their horrifying teacher don’t spot you. 

The teacher stalks around the classroom, lurching her snake-like head around to make sure the students are watching her every move. If they don’t, she marches over to their desk and slams down a ruler with an astounding thud. Meanwhile, I’m crouching beneath her, praying she doesn’t notice me as I desperately try to escape this haunted hall of learning. Later sections in the school have you sprinting away from her, pouncing in fear at a neck that stretches forth like an otherworldly serpent. 

Related: Final Fantasy 16 

Little Nightmares makes equal use of graphic imagery and atmosphere to make you feel woefully uneasy, paranoid that the next big threat will prey on your deepest fears. Thankfully, I’m yet to come across any spiders, but I’ll keep counting my blessings for now. Each new level feels like an exercise in overcoming new horrors, building up the stakes until you reach The Thin Man’s haunted abode. 

Early Verdict

Little Nightmares 2 builds upon everything that made its predecessor such a spooky delight, enhancing its scope and mechanical ambition in equal measure. 

Judging from the early hours, it’s shaping up to be a horror adventure well worth playing, and can’t wait to see what horrors await me in the full release next month. 

The post Little Nightmares 2 Preview: Two hours with a horrific yet gorgeous platforming adventure appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game is a charming beat-‘em-up inspired by genre classics such as Streets of Rage and Double Dragon – and now it’s arguably better than ever with the Complete Edition. 

Having spawned films, comics, music and countless other pieces of media, Scott Pilgrim has firmly established itself as a cult franchise beloved by fans. Sadly, its gaming adaptation has been mired by a rather tumultuous history. First released in 2010 to a strong reception, it was delisted four years later and became impossible for new players to purchase. 

Since then, we’ve been clamouring for some kind of re-release, as it slowly became a relic of the past. Now, Ubisoft has finally delivered the goods in the form of a Complete Edition across all modern platforms. While it seems to be largely unchanged from the original experience, simply having this beautiful brawler in my hands once again has put a beaming smile on my face as I smash through all of Ramona Flowers’ evil exes. 

To both its benefit and detriment, Scott Pilgrim maintains its classic difficulty and character progression to ensure that purists remain satisfied, yet newcomers who aren’t willing to dedicate themselves to the grind might be turned off by its unforgiving repetition. I landed straight in the middle, willing to push myself and learn its mechanics, even if it meant tackling the same stations again and again. Once thing’s for sure, this is far more than a generic button-masher. 

Related: Hitman 3 Preview

If you aren’t familiar with the concept of Scott Pilgrim vs The World, it’s surprisingly simple. The titular hero wishes to start dating Ramona Flowers, but to make things official he must embark on a journey to defeat all seven of her evil ex-partners. This takes him on an epic adventure inspired by classic films, video games and other pieces of media that are lovingly referenced across each level. 

Upon choosing from a selection of characters such as Scott Pilgrim or Ramona Flowers, you jump into the first stage that takes place on the snowy roads of Toronto, Canada, en route to a concert. Unfortunately, an endless array of thugs and delinquents are keen to make your path to the gig more than a little tedious. I’m thrown straight into the action, and beyond a few brief tutorials, must fend for myself when it comes to learning the controls and determining exactly how each enemy variant ticks. 

I’m quickly pummeled to pieces and lose one of my precious lives, yet manage to fare much better when I discover the block button. From here, it becomes easier to learn what combos can be used to break the guard of my foes and lock them into a devastating sequence of attacks. Scott Pilgrim doesn’t hesitate to overwhelm you with adversaries or stunlock you into a corner, so it’s vital to learn how to escape deadly situations as well as the moves that can best enemies in a few fell swoops. 

Related: Final Fantasy 7 Remake 2

Each character has their own selection of moves and abilities that are earned by levelling up, acting as an incentive to replay stages for experience points. This is where Scott Pilgrim’s excessive grinding rears his ending, acting as an occasional frustration when you make it far in a level only to be beaten at the last hurdle, forced to replay it all over again. 

I mained Ramona Flowers, who begins as a rather timid fighter who can spin her adorable bag around to smack multiple foes, or summon a giant cup of coffee to increase her movement and combat speed. After gaining a few levels, abilities such as a sliding kick and screen-spanning dodge become invaluable parts of my arsenal.

All of the other character operate in a similar way, growing in nuance with each passing level. Like the classic brawlers that inspired it, Scott Pilgrim is best played with a couple of friends by your side while marching through each stage. This would allow you to progress together, comparing movesets and combining them to wipe out baddies with ease.

Related: Upcoming Switch Games

Boss battles are the highlight of each level, often acting as screen-filling behemoths that dominate the entire frame. You’ll need to move aside to dodge their attacks, often deploying random objects in the environment as projectiles to knock them off balance before diving in for a flurry of attacks. Showdowns such as this often feel built for multiple players, since on your lonesome it’s very easy to become overwhelmed.

Complete Edition comes with all downloadable content packs alongside additional modes such as Boss Rush, Survival Horror and Battle Royal. This feels like a comprehensive package, and beat-’em-up fans who don’t mind the flawed repetition will adore what’s on offer. With a few small caveats, I felt the same, with my nostalgia for the property pulling me through the rough spots.

Should you buy Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game – Complete Edition

Fans of classic brawlers really can’t go wrong with Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game – Complete Edition. It’s gorgeous, satisfying to play and has a positively banging soundtrack from rock/pop band Anamanaguchi that stands the test of time wonderfully. Some might bemoan its lack of visual or mechanical enhancements after 10 long years, but I feel the purity of this package is for the better in the end.

The post Scott Pilgrim vs The World: The Game – Complete Edition appeared first on Trusted Reviews.

Hitman 3 is a dynamic stealth adventure from IO Interactive where you play as Agent 47. Your goal is to travel the globe and eliminate highly protected targets by any means necessary, even if it means causing a lot of unintended hilarity along the way. 

It’s perfect in the way it balances tone. Agent 47 is on a globe-trotting adventure to eliminate a mysterious cabal known as Providence, and it’s conveyed with the dramatic nuance you’d expect from a spy caper like this. It’s also delightfully stupid, and IO Interactive expresses both of these elements beautifully in Hitman 3.

This third installment concludes the ‘World of Assassination’ trilogy, a trio of games which have followed Agent 47 across the world as he uncovers his past alongside the dark organisation that has been pulling strings from the shadows. While they arguably didn’t reach the audience they deserved, each outing proved to be a triumphant example of the stealth genre, offering a level of freedom that remains unmatched. 

Hitman 3 feels like the culmination of this vision, offering a wondrous variety of locations to wreak havoc within while tracking down your target. Many missions can be over in a matter of minutes if you simply decide to sprint towards your target, but the real joy comes from sitting back meticulously taking your time. 

Whether you’re disguised as a fancy businessman in Dubai standing upon the tallest building in the world or acting as a timid gardener in a gargantuan English manor, IO Interactive offers countless ways to dispatch your enemies and cause untold amounts of chaos. I think my life as an assassin truly peaked when I knocked out an unsuspecting chef with his own uncooked fish. 

Related: Best PS5 Games

• A direct sequel to Hitman 2 that expands upon it in many fascinating ways

• You play as Agent 47, who remains a deadly, proficient and charming assassin

• Some of the confirmed locations include Dubai, Dartmoor and Berlin

Hitman 3 opens in stunning fashion. The stakes surrounding your current circumstances are made clear as Agent 47 and his weathered partner skydive through the scorching Dubai skies before landing on the Burj Al-Ghazali. The world’s tallest building currently houses one of your targets, and the only way to reach his illustrious penthouse is from above, and with absurd amounts of style. 

It immediately feels more dynamic and immersive. Previous games simply had you spawn into a location and go about your murderous business. Here, we follow Agent 47 as he infiltrates the building and learns of the narrative importance behind the oncoming mission. It looks and feels fantastic, and I was immersed from the opening moments and wanted to take Providence down no matter the cost. 

Such immersion is also translated into new gameplay mechanics, such as a camera which allows Agent 47 to take note of his surroundings, and also unlock windows and doors with the help of his partner. While this might be specific to the Dubai mission, I was able to whip out my gadget, point it towards a securely locked window and have my friend swing it open with ease. 

This provided me with further avenues of exploration, and makes the world far less of a static sandbox. Each level remains an uncompromising beast filled with characters going about their daily routines. Bartenders await to serve customers, while suspicious elites attend important meetings in rooms flanked by security guards. While there are a handful of exceptions, Agent 47 can disguise himself as any of them. 

Related: Final Fantasy 16

• Approach missions in a range of different ways in pursuit of a high score

• Agent 47 can use a variety of different disguises to infiltrate each level

• Every mission has a stunning level of replay value and secrets to uncover

How you approach each mission is completely up to you. Much like previous games, Hitman 3 offers a selection of scripted options which allow you to follow objectives to witness all the most creative scenarios. These are all excellent, but don’t offer a real sense of challenge or discovery. It’s very regimented, which goes against the experimentation that makes the experience so compelling. But they still house the most spectacular set pieces, which alone makes them worth pursuing. 

The real joy comes from toying with your starting location, equipment and dropping into the location sight unseen. From here, I could track down my target and eliminate them however I liked. The options are genuinely limitless, although popping a cap in their asses in the middle of a crowded auditorium will result in an inescapable shootout. Methodically working my way through the stage and equipping new disguises until I eventually end up beside my target in his fancy penthouse instilled me with a lasting sense of triumph, knowing I had earned the murder that awaited me. 

Obviously things will go wrong in a lot of instances, which is almost as fun as when everything goes according to plan. Having to fumble my way through a location I had only partially explored in search of a new disguise or hiding place is an exercise in hilarity. I venture into most missions hoping to minimise casualties, a laughably noble goal when dozens of innocents lay at my feet who just happened to see me cramming a corpse into the kitchen fridge.

I can’t emphasise enough how joyous Hitman 3 is when all of its systems collide in a seamless orchestra of comical violence and agile stealth as you try desperately to survive. Hurling a screwdriver into my target’s face and sprinting towards the exit in a hale of gunfire isn’t an effective strategy, but I’ll be damned it worked. 

Related: Upcoming Xbox Series X Games

• Owners of the first two games can access all existing levels in the same client

• IO Interactive plans to update Hitman 3 with a selection of extra content

• Those who pick up the game on older consoles will receive a free upgrade

The preview build I spent several hours with included two locations set in Dubai and Dartmoor. The former was a sprawling selection of interior environments packed with busy crowds and dodgy business dealings. On the flipside, Dartmoor is far more sedated locale awash with a darker colour scheme and a larger focus on the great outdoors.

You can complete most objectives without seeing a vast majority of each level, which makes exploration all the more important to uncover all the valuable secrets. Hardcore players will want to learn the routines of each major character, learning the most efficient way to strike without being spotted. Luck and skill have equal merit in Hitman 3, and were so many situations where I managed to escape within an inch of my life.

IO Interactive has confirmed that both of the previous games will be incorporated into the Hitman 3 client upon its release. This means you will be able to access three games of content alongside all of their downloadable content at the touch of a button. Older levels will also benefit from improved visuals, performance and quality of life changed introduced through new gameplay mechanics.

Related: Upcoming PS5 Games 

Early Verdict

This is the best Hitman has ever been, and IO Interactive is in a supremely confident place to conclude this trilogy with a bang. The gameplay formula birthed back in 2016 has reached a crescendo here, complimented by an avalanche of worthwhile improvements that make Hitman 3 a joy to play.

I’m really excited to delve into the final game and see how Agent 47’s adventure comes to a close after following the cheesy yet compelling narrative for almost half a decade. Incorporating all existing content into one centralised client also ensures that Hitman 3 will be immense fun for veterans and newcomers alike.

The post Hitman 3 Preview: IO Interactive's stealth adventure is an absolute joy appeared first on Trusted Reviews.