QCF: ReCore

t’s bizarre to me that in a medium that spends so much time romanticizing its past through a modern filter for audiences both old, and new, that there’s this weird bygone era in video games that hardly receives the same kind of attention—the 3D Platformer. One could argue that the nuances of the side-scroller will forever stand the test of time in contrast with that of games like Banjo–Kazooie, or Spyro the Dragon, doomed to fall in line with a specific aesthetic or design, but I think the formula deserves more than that, and personally, that outlook always came off like a copout.

Which is why Armature Games’ ReCore is a refreshing experiment to that sentiment; an open-world action adventure title that embraces the age-old “collect-a-thon” conventions of the 90’s, within a large open world game that’s still designed with modern sensibilities in mind.

The refreshment doesn’t last though as the title has one of the most unstable game engines to have ever been released out of a first-party title, and will often reduce the charming experience that ReCore has to offer into a steaming pile of garbage.

Click to read more ...

QCF: Batman: A Telltale Series Episode 2: Children of Arkham

espite how resonant the premise of Batman may be towards the conceit of a Telltale-designed game, the first episode of the series played it surprisingly safe when it came to the approach of narrative in their spin on the Dark Knight. The roles of Harvey Dent, Selena Kyle, and the other notable regulars of Gotham City all played their role up to any fan’s expectation of the plot, and the novelty of the choice-driven gameplay being used in this world and the focus on Bruce Wayne seemed to be the main attractions offered.

In Episode 2 of the series however, the Bat gauntlets are seemingly taken off, as Children of Arkham works to rock the foundation of just about every convention of the Caped Crusader’s universe that fans have come to know and care about, and the results undeniably enthralling, if not admittedly unsettling at the same time.

It’s going to be pretty hard to avoid spoilers from here on out, but I’ll be damned not to try—the shake-ups start happening right of the bat (pun intended, and I could care less what you think of me for it.)

Click to read more ...

QCF: INSIDE

t isn’t often that the visual style of a game in motion can be so evocative to the mind, and on that same token, so indicative to the disquietude that lingers after your each, and every move on screen—it’s a feeling that’s eerie, yet fascinating.

Playdead’s latest venture for the Xbox One delivers that sort of vibe in every sense you could think of, and then some—the spiritual successor to LIMBO is an evolution in every aspect, from its enthralling puzzle design, to its chilling conveyance of atmosphere.

Click to read more ...

QCF: Mighty No. 9

o after all of the anticipation, in spite of the delays that served to simultaneously fervor and stifle the excitement; Mighty No. 9 is out, and well, it’s most certainly left an impression, that much is safe to say. Inafune’s premier project banked on the charm of its ambition, which in hindsight, explains why lackluster delivery out of this project hit so hard, and almost why it was sort of doomed from the start.

The initial appeal to this endeavor was how it was poised to be the spiritual successor to a franchise that we all assumed that Capcom long forgot, but Mighty No. 9 just clumsily fumbles about in the shadow that Mega Man casted over it as it fails to cast one of its own.

Click to read more ...

QCF: Unravel

n the modern day of gaming, it isn’t uncommon for new piece of software to be so visually striking for someone upon first glance; the realistic detail that’s produced out of present hardware has delivered some of the sweetest eye candy that our peepers could’ve ever dreamed of glancing upon.

And despite the impressive strides towards such graphical verity, this new age of technical prowess can deliver a great deal of wonder to worlds born out of fantasy, and the whimsical sights that illustrate reality beyond that of our real lives.

Coldwood Interactive’s Unravel is an incredible example of that very sentiment, transporting us into the role of a sentient doll made of wool named Yarny, and his adorable misadventures he leads from the diminutive perspective of enchanted toy living in a human world.

Graphics aren’t everything of course, it’s just not too often that that captivating aesthetic can lend so much to what’s otherwise a familiar, yet solid platforming formula—and the result is a memorably heart-warming one.

Click to read more ...

PPR Presents Play Play: Killer Instinct-Season 3

he torch has been passed once again, and now it would appear that Iron Galaxy will carry on the support and development to the latest episodic entry into Microsoft’s exclusive modern fighting franchise with Killer Instinct Season 3—and thankfully enough, it’s just as exciting, if not even more enjoyable than ever before.

And honestly, how could you not freak out about a game where you can play as a Battletoad that gets to up on the Anti-hero from Halo 2; shit’s dope y’all.

Andrew and George hash out their thoughts on this new edition of KI, the state of the Fighting Game scene; including how badly they wanted to like Street Fighter V more than they actually did, and more in this latest Play Play from Press Pause Radio.

Mail us at our new email Mailbag@presspauseradio.com, leave a voicemail at 469-PPR-TALK, and be sure to stop by at our Forums if you haven’t already registered and post your thoughts about the show. Finally, make sure to rate and subscribe to us on iTunes and YouTube, follow us on Twitch page and Twitter, and finally take part in our Facebook and Steam group!

PPR Presents Play Play: Overwatch

hen you’ve got a game that’s so hot that it becomes a trending search term on the word’s number one free porn site, you know that you’ve got more than GOTY contender on your hands. Overwatch is sweeping the masses across console screen, and PC monitor alike, and we’re still blown away that this gem came out of Blizzard—it’s still crazy when you think about it!

George and Andrew took some time to capture some play time before the launch of Overwatch, and we’ve decided to make it a Play Play; expect the proper review to follow later this week!

Mail us at our new email Mailbag@presspauseradio.com, leave a voicemail at 469-PPR-TALK, and be sure to stop by at our Forums if you haven’t already registered and post your thoughts about the show. Finally, make sure to rate and subscribe to us on iTunes and YouTube, follow us on Twitch page and Twitter, and finally take part in our Facebook and Steam group!

PPR Presents Play Play: Transformers Devastation

othing rang more true than the slogan “More than meets the eye” with Transformers, like how many MORE chances are we expected to give the property producing a worthy game adaption that’s both fun, and authentic to the robot car brand of action that it’s famous for.

Sure, there may have been some fun titles here, and there, but of it is forgettable at best, and major poop from a butt at worst; that’s why Platinum’s take on the franchise with Transformers Devastation is nice breath of fresh air for once.

Join Transformers mega fan Catie, as she, and low-key closet Autobot admirer Georgie go town with the latest action game in this week’s Play Play—shit’s weirdly more intense than we thought it would be too, enjoy!

Mail us at our new email Mailbag@presspauseradio.com, leave a voicemail at 469-PPR-TALK, and be sure to stop by at our Forums if you haven’t already registered and post your thoughts about the show. Finally, make sure to rate and subscribe to us on iTunes and YouTube, follow us on Twitch page and Twitter, and finally take part in our Facebook and Steam group!