Acceptance Review

Adam has feelings of self-doubt, mood swings, and countless other grievances, Adam finds himself going through the motions of his life. His career is a grind, and he’s finding himself running behind on projects and working himself to the point of blackout to catch up. He’s not even interested in being social with his friend group. There’s also his partner Emily, who’s going through some rough times on her end.

Throughout the title, players will come to see the difficulty Adam is attempting to contend with. Let’s be perfectly clear – this is the polar opposite of a feel-good title. However, as players move around and interact in this walking simulator, they’ll get a general picture of Adam’s life in just a short amount of time.

It’s just unfortunate that Acceptance whacks players over the head with its messaging; subtlety is thrown out the window for spectacle. While it does paint a good picture as to the distortions of a disturbed mind, it doesn’t quite have the worldbuilding or length to really drive the point home. It also proves to be a bit heavy-handed; while there are different stages that players go through, it is a bit too direct with the way it displays Adam’s grief.

The way it sets things up is far too direct; while denial and fighting back make sense, the nuance of these emotions is a bit lost in Acceptance. We get that ghostly apparitions and weapons (with attack and block functions) to overcome, it ends up focusing a bit too much on the game angle as opposed to the deeper meaning of it all. As a result, there is a bit of a disconnect when it comes to really knowing the struggles that Adam is going through – especially when you’re spamming the attack button to get through waves of different enemies.

There’s also not too much gameplay to speak of in Acceptance. Players will be able to walk from different points, speak to people, and collect certain items, but most players will have the same experience when all is said and done. If anything, there’s too much walking – there’s a lot of times where players will move in one direction for a set period of time; however, these parts are a bit too dragged out. While there are some missable achievements, there is nothing quite so daunting that it will be a massive undertaking.

Acceptance covers some serious topics, but its combat makes it feel more like a shallow game than something with a deeper message. Everything is a bit heavy handed, and as a result feels a bit more surface level than anything else.

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Acceptance Review

Players will have to come to terms with suicide with the release of Rasul Mono and Ratalaika Games' Acceptance. Should players traverse this dark path in this story-driven thriller?

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Moving Out 2 Review

The residents of Packmore need players’ help once againi with the release of SMG Studio, Devm Games, and Team17's Moving Out 2. Promising to be even wackier than its predecessor, should players move out and get to work?

Posted Aug 13, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Sclash Review

Quick kills are back on the menu with the release of Bevel bakery, Just For Games, and Abiding Bridge's Sclash. A game where timing is everything, does this 2D samurai fighter turn the traditional formula on its head?

Posted Aug 12, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Atlas Fallen Review

Roughly a year after being first shown, Deck13 and Focus Entertainment's Atlas Fallen arrives between Baldur's Gate 3 and Starfield. Does the game do enough to stand out in what has proven to be a stellar year for gaming, or will it fall by the wayside?

The post Acceptance Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Moving Out 2 Review

With a fresh new Furniture Arrangement and Relocation Technician (F.A.R.T.) certification in hand, the team at Smooth Moves is back on the beat once again to bring one’s personal belongings from their old place to the new. As it turns out, everybody wants to get out of dodge – what a perfect opportunity!

One might think this is a daunting task, but one should know off the bat that nothing is off-limits in Moving Out 2. Want to chuck a boombox off the second floor? Go for it. Arcade machine stuck in place? Yank it out the wall! Pesky window blocking your way? Break right through it! Channeling the best shady movers on Craigslist, grabbing, slapping, and throwing are all on the menu, and the physics engine is well suited for the job. As long as it’s in the designated area, it doesn’t matter the steps it takes to get there.

You’d think a game about moving objects from one point to the other would be an exercise in tedium, but the fun of Moving Out 2 comes in its chaos. Playing solo is certainly a viable option, but things get a lot more fun when another player (or three!) jump into the mix. Players fighting to get a bed through a narrow doorway, throwing a crab at each other, or racing against the clock is primarily what this title was designed for. The more people play, the zanier things get to – we won’t spoil the surprises, but don’t expect to see these places on HGTV any time soon.

Thankfully, Moving Out 2 has the tools needed to get the job done. Crossplay support can be turned on, and there’s also online play through Steam friends lists and Team17 friends. We stuck with local co-op for our adventures, but we do appreciate the option for those with some distance between them.

As players progress, they’ll be able to earn themselves stars that allow them to move on to bigger and better things. Those that finish quickly under the Pro Time can get themselves additional stars, and completing each move unlocks additional objectives. There’s plenty of incentive to come back, giving players the chance to truly get absorbed with each house map.

There’s also a number of unlockables that can be had from crates. The team at Smooth Moves is a stylish one, with multiple design options and choices to pick from. If you want to dress up as a taco man or a man with a cassette head, this is your title.

On that note, the humor in this game is top notch. Dad jokes aren’t for everyone, but we do appreciate how lighthearted and carefree this title is.

Between its humor and its off-the-wall action, Moving Out 2 is sure to be a hit at one’s next shindig. Those flying solo will have fun, but be sure to bring a friend or three along to get the best Smooth Moves experience.

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Acceptance Review

Players will have to come to terms with suicide with the release of Rasul Mono and Ratalaika Games' Acceptance. Should players traverse this dark path in this story-driven thriller?

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Moving Out 2 Review

The residents of Packmore need players’ help once againi with the release of SMG Studio, Devm Games, and Team17's Moving Out 2. Promising to be even wackier than its predecessor, should players move out and get to work?

Posted Aug 13, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Sclash Review

Quick kills are back on the menu with the release of Bevel bakery, Just For Games, and Abiding Bridge's Sclash. A game where timing is everything, does this 2D samurai fighter turn the traditional formula on its head?

Posted Aug 12, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Atlas Fallen Review

Roughly a year after being first shown, Deck13 and Focus Entertainment's Atlas Fallen arrives between Baldur's Gate 3 and Starfield. Does the game do enough to stand out in what has proven to be a stellar year for gaming, or will it fall by the wayside?

The post Moving Out 2 Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Sclash Review

Set in a different world a long time ago, Sclash puts the spotlight on the samurai Jinmu. Looking to make a name for himself in Aki village, he takes the fight to the Natsu clan and their leader Amaterasu as the latest recruit Jinmu under the guidance of Susanoo and their almighty god Tengu. However, Jinmu comes to realize that things aren’t quite what they seem.

It’s a bit of a cliche story with the usual beats that players can see coming from a mile away, it simply serves as window dressing for the action of this title and nothing more. At the very least, the art style makes a compelling case to keep engaged – even if the voice acting leaves something to be desired.

As players set off on their journey for the truth, one will quickly realize that one needs to be methodical in their strikes. One is able to end things quickly by parrying, dodging, and parrying oncoming attacks with precise windows of opportunity for a counterattack of their own.

However, much like the Soulsborne games we have all come to know and love, Sclash also has a stamina meter one needs to track. If actions are interrupted by a kick, Jinmu will find himself at a distinct disadvantage as he scrambles for his life. However, one can turn the tables by doing a punch or kick of their own to throw opponents for a loop – just the thing to get an edge in battle.

This might sound like a lot to manage, but the end result comes down to timing and reflexes. Fighting games are all about reading your opponent and planning accordingly, and Sclash boils this down to its most basic elements. The suite of options is paired down a considerable amount – almost to an extreme. We’re not looking to do Drive Rushes or Roman Cancels, but it feels like it still needs something a little more. We do realize this is a single-player narrative adventure, but a bit more folds to the formula would have gone a long way.

It’s not like this title has exceptionally long legs; the credits will roll in Sclash in a little more than an hour. For a game at this price point, it doesn’t quite have the staying power required to justify the price of admission.

Sclash offers an interesting concept that boils action down to its most basic elements, but its cliche story and short runtime make it an easy pass.

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Acceptance Review

Players will have to come to terms with suicide with the release of Rasul Mono and Ratalaika Games' Acceptance. Should players traverse this dark path in this story-driven thriller?

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Moving Out 2 Review

The residents of Packmore need players’ help once againi with the release of SMG Studio, Devm Games, and Team17's Moving Out 2. Promising to be even wackier than its predecessor, should players move out and get to work?

Posted Aug 13, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Sclash Review

Quick kills are back on the menu with the release of Bevel bakery, Just For Games, and Abiding Bridge's Sclash. A game where timing is everything, does this 2D samurai fighter turn the traditional formula on its head?

Posted Aug 12, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Atlas Fallen Review

Roughly a year after being first shown, Deck13 and Focus Entertainment's Atlas Fallen arrives between Baldur's Gate 3 and Starfield. Does the game do enough to stand out in what has proven to be a stellar year for gaming, or will it fall by the wayside?

The post Sclash Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

HYPER METEOR Review

Lost in space, this pixel adventure has one objective: survive. How do you do that? By ramming into anything and everything, of course!

Using either a mouse or gamepad, players are able to steer, thrust, and use screen-cleaning smart bombs to get ahead. In true arcade fashion, there are weak spots, bonus lives, and combo scores for players to set out and conquer. However, one must watch out for the dark spots, as those that mean certain death.

So how does it play? While it is ultimately a simple game with just a few options, the momentum of HYPER METEOR really sells this title. When you give it a bit of juice, players will then have to adjust the trajectory of their ship from there. There’s always the danger of oversteering or ending up topsy-turvy; quite the predicament when there’s plenty of threats on the screen and things loop over from one end to the other. While the Playdate might not have provided enough real-estate, its transition to the PC makes this our preferred way to play.

There’s no high-level play that will have tier lists or anything of the sort, but finding the ebb and the flow of each stage (which pop up every couple of minutes) can provide a zen-like feeling.

Well, when you’re not crashing into objects or foes, that is.

Those that succumb to death will be judged by their score, kills, max combo and time – typical arcade stuff. It doesn’t quite have the same draw as Asteroids – there’s just not enough variables in play. However, time will tell if it will catch on in the long run.

HYPER METEOR also gives players the chance to customize their experience with the “High Contrast,” “Athletic,” and “Cranky” filters. While it is the default option, we highly recommend the green hues of the Athletic theme, though we do appreciate the option. There’s not too much else to adjust, unfortunately – what you see is what you get.

To keep players going in HYPER METEOR, there are 50 achievements, an Endless Mode that players can come back to, and some unlockables. For a game of this scale, it is nice that there is a reason to come back.

HYPER METEOR’s momentum-based gameplay channels the finer points of Asteroids in what amounts to a unique take on the formula. It’s a bit simple at its core, but it has the underpinnings of being a cult arcade classic.

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Acceptance Review

Players will have to come to terms with suicide with the release of Rasul Mono and Ratalaika Games' Acceptance. Should players traverse this dark path in this story-driven thriller?

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Moving Out 2 Review

The residents of Packmore need players’ help once againi with the release of SMG Studio, Devm Games, and Team17's Moving Out 2. Promising to be even wackier than its predecessor, should players move out and get to work?

Posted Aug 13, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Sclash Review

Quick kills are back on the menu with the release of Bevel bakery, Just For Games, and Abiding Bridge's Sclash. A game where timing is everything, does this 2D samurai fighter turn the traditional formula on its head?

Posted Aug 12, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Atlas Fallen Review

Roughly a year after being first shown, Deck13 and Focus Entertainment's Atlas Fallen arrives between Baldur's Gate 3 and Starfield. Does the game do enough to stand out in what has proven to be a stellar year for gaming, or will it fall by the wayside?

The post HYPER METEOR Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Astrality Review

As a bounty hunter, players will seek out their next big score in this title. However, there’s just one problem – everybody out to get them. Never fear, though; with the AI assistant Broomer at your side, even the biggest ship doesn’t stand a chance against your might.

In order to get ahead, players will have to dodge debris and blast everything in sight. Controls use a WASD setup, with firing mapped to the mouse. Those that sit still can fire faster, but that is often a luxury that does not come up quite too often. Rather, players will always be kept on their toes.

This somewhat works, but can oftentimes feel like walking and chewing bubble gum at the same time. Some might claim this is a skill issue, but we’d counter by saying it’s not quite as intuitive as titles like Star Fox. There are some added perks like a bomb called the Ultra Killer 3K and a dash ability, but these all have cooldowns players need to be mindful of. In short, it can sometimes feel like you don’t quite have the resources you need to kick butt and take names.

Another thing players need to be mindful of in Astrality is the bar at the bottom of the screen. Everything lives and dies by this bar, with it gradually increasing the more you defeat enemies. Top it off, and players can get themselves a nice double that dishes out twice the pain. However, each hit drains some of the bar, and it is constantly moving ever so lower. Empty it out, and it’s game over for the player.

This is most certainly a unique mechanic, but it can oftentimes feel like it is a bit unbalanced. There were times where we were kicking butt and taking names due to the sheer amount of enemies on the screen. However, there were other instances where the foes were few and far between. A bit of balance with the enemy placements would have gone a long way.

However, Astrality does not give players too much of a chance to grow, with the title running a little less than an hour. It’s just a shame too that things wrap up before they even get the chance to really kick things into stride.

Astrality does some interesting things with the rail shooter formula in the form of its meter, but the awkward shooting is like walking and chewing bubble gum at the same time. Those that can tolerate a bit of awkwardness will dig this interstellar adventure.

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Acceptance Review

Players will have to come to terms with suicide with the release of Rasul Mono and Ratalaika Games' Acceptance. Should players traverse this dark path in this story-driven thriller?

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Moving Out 2 Review

The residents of Packmore need players’ help once againi with the release of SMG Studio, Devm Games, and Team17's Moving Out 2. Promising to be even wackier than its predecessor, should players move out and get to work?

Posted Aug 13, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Sclash Review

Quick kills are back on the menu with the release of Bevel bakery, Just For Games, and Abiding Bridge's Sclash. A game where timing is everything, does this 2D samurai fighter turn the traditional formula on its head?

Posted Aug 12, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Atlas Fallen Review

Roughly a year after being first shown, Deck13 and Focus Entertainment's Atlas Fallen arrives between Baldur's Gate 3 and Starfield. Does the game do enough to stand out in what has proven to be a stellar year for gaming, or will it fall by the wayside?

The post Astrality Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

The Expanse: A Telltale Series – Episode 1 Review

Set in 2347 aboard the Artemis ship, Camina Drummer may have very well come across the haul of the century aboard the UNN Urshanabi. While modern times show that this discovery had horrible consequences, Episode 1 of this tale tells of Drummer’s relationships with the crew and the moments that got them into this sticky situation.

And there are plenty of moments to speak of throughout the first episode’s one hour runtime. Drummer has got her work cut out for her, and along the way players will get a chance to know more about her relationship with Cox, her history, and her relations with the other crewmates.

It’s just a shame that this episode is made by and for the fans. For those who have yet to dive into The Expanse’s multiple seasons (like us, admittedly), they’ll be a bit in the lurch as they try to piece together why they are speaking in an alternate language or the history behind it all. As a result, newcomers might feel a bit disconnected compared to the more diehard fans among us when it comes to things like the lore and the alternate language that repeatedly pops up.

Players will spend most of their time interacting with the crew of the Artemis, chatting with teammates along the way. There are both Artemis Logs and Mission Logs, and players will be able to take on objectives and side missions along the way. This episode really goes above and beyond in making sure you are absorbed in this ship, and the worldbuilding is well done. It goes to show how well the video game medium works.

In true Telltale Games fashion, players will be tasked with making some tough decisions. While it is too soon to tell how the consequences will play out, they do set the stage for some serious outcomes. Other choices are a bit more minor, with crewmates “remembering” actions, but it is still welcome nonetheless.

Just note that things aren’t quite sunshine and rainbows between the crewmembers in The Expanse. Curse words are common, and everybody constantly seems to be at each other’s throats. As a result, it can be tough to find these crewmembers likable, making for an acquired taste. Don’t expect a crew akin to Star Trek and everything will be fine.

Episode 1 of The Expanse: A Telltale Series is designed by and for the fans, but sci-fi aficionados will appreciate its worldbuilding and deep atmosphere. Those that like a good story will enjoy their time exploring the UNN Urshanabi.

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Acceptance Review

Players will have to come to terms with suicide with the release of Rasul Mono and Ratalaika Games' Acceptance. Should players traverse this dark path in this story-driven thriller?

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Moving Out 2 Review

The residents of Packmore need players’ help once againi with the release of SMG Studio, Devm Games, and Team17's Moving Out 2. Promising to be even wackier than its predecessor, should players move out and get to work?

Posted Aug 13, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Sclash Review

Quick kills are back on the menu with the release of Bevel bakery, Just For Games, and Abiding Bridge's Sclash. A game where timing is everything, does this 2D samurai fighter turn the traditional formula on its head?

Posted Aug 12, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Atlas Fallen Review

Roughly a year after being first shown, Deck13 and Focus Entertainment's Atlas Fallen arrives between Baldur's Gate 3 and Starfield. Does the game do enough to stand out in what has proven to be a stellar year for gaming, or will it fall by the wayside?

The post The Expanse: A Telltale Series – Episode 1 Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors Review

As one does in beat-em-ups, the tyrant Banglar has a number of mooks that need thrashing in this title. Taking control of a ninja of their choosing, players will be able to use arm grappling, razor-sharp kunais, spiral slashes, and boost dashes to take down machete-wielding goons en masse and save the day. Combat is fluid, and there’s plenty of variety across each stage as players traverse mansions, shopping malls, remote compounds and other venues ripe for a fight. As an added bonus, each character plays wildly different from each other, providing additional incentive to come back after saving the day.

Everything in this 2D side-scroller revolves around its Battery Gauge. Charging up over time, players will be able to use Charge Attacks once they reach a certain level. However, there’s a catch – take damage and it empties out, leaving players back at square one. Each character does have a decent amount of moves at their disposal, but keeping that meter nice and topped off is a great way to prevent enemies from chipping away at your armor to nothing.

As a result, it pays to be prudent. Going out guns-a-blazing means that players will be at a big disadvantage when the foes swap out knives for guns and chainsaws. While players can take a few hits and there are health pickups to gather, there are still many threats to deal with at any given time. In true side-scrolling fashion, deadly bosses and countless threats dot the landscape of its overall hour-long runtime. This title definitely provides a challenge as well, and there’s a hard mode for those looking for it.

Unfortunately there’s not too much to explore outside of the main mode of The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors. Time attack segments for each stage can be unlocked, and there’s also the ability to jump into the Online Rankings for single player (both normal and hard) and multiplayer. There was nobody present as of our review period, but it is still admittedly too soon to tell.

Despite all of this, The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors is a stone-cold stunner. The aesthetics of the 16-bit Super Nintendo original have been improved a considerable amount, with detailed sprite work, rocking tunes, and great aesthetics all around. It’s truly got a timeless look, one that will still hold up for years to come.

The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors is a bit light on content, but what is here is a worthy follow-up to the side-scrolling cult classic. Those that don’t mind a short runtime will have a great time minmaxing the Battery Gauge to cause massive damage.

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Acceptance Review

Players will have to come to terms with suicide with the release of Rasul Mono and Ratalaika Games' Acceptance. Should players traverse this dark path in this story-driven thriller?

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Moving Out 2 Review

The residents of Packmore need players’ help once againi with the release of SMG Studio, Devm Games, and Team17's Moving Out 2. Promising to be even wackier than its predecessor, should players move out and get to work?

Posted Aug 13, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Sclash Review

Quick kills are back on the menu with the release of Bevel bakery, Just For Games, and Abiding Bridge's Sclash. A game where timing is everything, does this 2D samurai fighter turn the traditional formula on its head?

Posted Aug 12, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Atlas Fallen Review

Roughly a year after being first shown, Deck13 and Focus Entertainment's Atlas Fallen arrives between Baldur's Gate 3 and Starfield. Does the game do enough to stand out in what has proven to be a stellar year for gaming, or will it fall by the wayside?

The post The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Lost Connections Review

Los is lost. Recently coming out as non-binary, they feel like they can’t quite find their place in the world. Although they like fashion, they feel like they do not fit in with the way things currently operate. They have let a number of things like their plants and the garbage on the floor fall by the wayside.

Looking to form a connection, they end up joining a support group that focuses on confidence building that will allow them to meet others. Three months later, the class wraps up and Los feels like they haven’t made any sort of meaningful progress. To overcome this, Lost Connections will then have players talking with others to better themselves and overcome the social anxiety that has a firm grasp on everything going on in their troubled lives.

Dialog with others in Lost Connections has players navigating different scenarios and working up the courage to trade phone numbers and forming a connection. Gameplay follows the typical visual novel formatting, with stills set to swaths of dialog and the occasional choice. There’s a “courage meter” that can be filled, with success or failure hinging on how far it is filled.

It’s just a shame that Lost Connections doesn’t quite have the depth to carry its message. There are different routes with different endings, but the average playthrough clocks in at around a little less than 10 minutes each go around. Choices can be pretty vague too, with simple one-word choices playing a major role in each path.

As a result, it’s hard to make a connection in Lost Connections. You can see the pain Los is in, that much is certain. However, there’s little backing to actually get a chance to know them throughout each playthrough. There is the chance to zone out and interact with items, but there’s little worldbuilding to actually form that connection.

Even when players do get an ending and form a connection, it just ends up fizzling out with a brief conclusion. There are different people to meet, but they do tend to blend together simply because we do not know who they really are. There are achievements for getting to each ending, but figuring out each route isn’t terribly hard to figure out. As a result, this ends up being more of a one-and-done type of title than anything else.

Lost Connections has a powerful message about overcoming social anxiety, but there just isn’t enough substance to really drive its messaging home. As a result, this visual novel fails to make a lasting connection.

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Acceptance Review

Players will have to come to terms with suicide with the release of Rasul Mono and Ratalaika Games' Acceptance. Should players traverse this dark path in this story-driven thriller?

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Moving Out 2 Review

The residents of Packmore need players’ help once againi with the release of SMG Studio, Devm Games, and Team17's Moving Out 2. Promising to be even wackier than its predecessor, should players move out and get to work?

Posted Aug 13, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Sclash Review

Quick kills are back on the menu with the release of Bevel bakery, Just For Games, and Abiding Bridge's Sclash. A game where timing is everything, does this 2D samurai fighter turn the traditional formula on its head?

Posted Aug 12, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Atlas Fallen Review

Roughly a year after being first shown, Deck13 and Focus Entertainment's Atlas Fallen arrives between Baldur's Gate 3 and Starfield. Does the game do enough to stand out in what has proven to be a stellar year for gaming, or will it fall by the wayside?

The post Lost Connections Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 5 Review

As part of the new Feather Cup and Cherry Cup, eight new courses make their appearance as part of this DLC. However, these are more than just mere 1:1 ports; tracks from the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, and Nintendo Wii era have gotten a nice glow-up that really make them stand out from the days of post-punk and Razor scooters.

The shiny high-res coat of paint is just the start; the inclusion of different music in different sections, use of underwater, antigravity, and aerial sections, and additional tweaks to track layout have made sure classics like Moonview Highway and Daisy Cruiser are back and better than ever. Even the most “flat” Mode 7 style worlds have been given a new lease on life.

Wave 5 of the Booster Course Pass also includes a number of tracks from Mario Kart Tour that will whisk players away to Athens, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. Tributes to famous landmarks are present and accounted for, each a delight to traverse. Each lap features a different part of the track as well, making sure that things are fresh and dynamic as players check out hockey games and the Santa Monica Pier.

There’s also a newcomer track in this Booster Course Pass in the form of Squeaky Clean Sprint. Shrinking racers down into pint-sized versions, players will traverse a bathroom, going down the drain, flying over a toilet, and making sure they are so fresh and so clean (clean). There’s plenty of hazards to avoid, paraglider and anti-gravity segments, and other factors that make it a nice addition to the roster – even if there’s more water segments than one is used to.

This level of detail in Wave 5 of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass also extends to its new characters. Made up of Kamek, Petey Piranha, and Wiggler and their own designated weight classes, each of these three has gotten the attention-to-detail that they so rightly deserve. From Kamek’s unique horn to Wiggler’s (rightly just) temper tantrums after being hit with a blue shell, it’s great to see the amount of polish on display.

However, not all is rosy in this release. Balance is still as skewed as ever, with an ungodly amount of items thrown by AI at players leading the pack. Much like previous waves, the perspective could use some work – some of the characters in the background and other areas aren’t quite up to scale.

Wave 5 of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe’s Booster Course Pass provides a compelling case to come back nearly a decade after its vanilla release. Whether one wants to hit the town or the tub, there’s a little something for everybody here.

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Acceptance Review

Players will have to come to terms with suicide with the release of Rasul Mono and Ratalaika Games' Acceptance. Should players traverse this dark path in this story-driven thriller?

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Moving Out 2 Review

The residents of Packmore need players’ help once againi with the release of SMG Studio, Devm Games, and Team17's Moving Out 2. Promising to be even wackier than its predecessor, should players move out and get to work?

Posted Aug 13, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Sclash Review

Quick kills are back on the menu with the release of Bevel bakery, Just For Games, and Abiding Bridge's Sclash. A game where timing is everything, does this 2D samurai fighter turn the traditional formula on its head?

Posted Aug 12, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

Atlas Fallen Review

Roughly a year after being first shown, Deck13 and Focus Entertainment's Atlas Fallen arrives between Baldur's Gate 3 and Starfield. Does the game do enough to stand out in what has proven to be a stellar year for gaming, or will it fall by the wayside?

The post Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Wave 5 Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.

Gimmick! Special Edition Review

Putting the spotlight on the cutesy green Yumetaro, this 2D platformer has players using this saccharine star to create star projectiles of their very own. The 8-bit days weren’t exactly known for their advanced play styles, but players can do some incredible things with this system. Not only can players use these stars to defeat swaths of foes, they can also be used to traverse areas and reach new heights.

As a result, this star hook manages to be Gimmick!’s shining light. There’s nothing too out-of-the-ordinary otherwise; players will defeat foes, avoid spikes, and defeat the boss at the end of each level. However, much like other heroes like Mega Man, this hook manages to make the little green fellow unique in its own right. Finding the right trajectory to launch said stars can be entertaining, as each part of its side-scrolling world hosts speedrun shortcuts and even treasures that can ensure a true ending.

Don’t expect to play this one for too long, however; we were able to finish our run at around 30 minutes. While this is a bit disappointing for those looking for something longer than the length of a sitcom, it is still an entertaining experience nonetheless.

Unfortunately, what you see is what you get with Gimmick! Special Edition. This version of the game does feature some quality of life improvements like basic achievements, online speedrun leaderboards, the ability to rewind with a fun little filter, and some gallery items like cartridges, art, and manuals, but it’s just not enough. Most of its content can be seen in an afternoon, and there is little to experience outside of the main mode, which is a bit of a disappointment.

There are some different modes that can be chosen, but even this is not taken enough. One can get serious with its Serious Mode, which allows players to get achievements in lieu of the quality of life improvements. The Speed Run mode is also time registered, but even this does not change the core formula too much.

The same goes with its emulation functions. There are six different bezels to choose from and a zoom function, but the filters commonly seen in collections like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection are missing in action. It just could have used more, and as a result it feels more like a straight port than a tribute.

Gimmick! Special Edition still holds up after all these years, but there’s just not enough beyond the main game to entertain players. This little green guy deserved so much more, resulting in what is a one-and-done type of title with little reason to go back.

Posted Aug 16, 2023 by casey-scheld
in Game Reviews

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