Slayaway Camp: Butcher's Cut (PS4)

Blue Wizard Digital's horror themed isometric puzzle game is a hilarious homage to the horror movie classics of old. Particularly those of the 80's back when VHS tapes were a thing, and sneaking a late night peek at you parent's secretive viewing of such films was the cool thing to do. Featuring nods to some of everyone's favorites in both an optionally toned down PG version, and a more sinister R rated version you'll find killers that mimic legends such as Jason Voorhees, Jack Frost, Krampus, and many others. All of which are made playable back at the main menu which is set up like a movie rental store with related killer figures, and VHS covers that double as in-game features. It is the VHS tapes in particular that act as the stage sets which must be conquered through puzzle solving. The goal of the puzzles therein, which can be viewed isometrically, or top-down has the killer in your control at all times. You simply have to move him, or her via sliding, and guide them against barriers or walls into the victims, interactive objects, and triggered traps in order to ultimately rid the residents of the stages of their mortal coil. These murderous missions allow for rewinding, pausing, and fast-forwarding much like a VHS tape playing in a VCR would ...

Yomawari: Midnight Shadows (PS4)

Just in time for Halloween 2017 NISA releases perhaps one of it's most chilling, disturbing, and heartfelt adventures ever created for the PS4, and PS Vita. This innocent looking hide, and seek focused tale told about two childhood friends lost to the darkness, and to their own life's misfortunes finds the youthful protagonists trying to reunite amid a haunting of ghoulish ghosts that are out for blood. The game starts off holding no punches as it introduces us to Yui, a depressed young girl who lost one of her canine companions to an untimely death. It is through a brief controlling of Yui that we get to witness the full horror of her depression as it drives her to do the unspeakable, and leave her remaining canine friend alone. At least seemingly so. After this heartbreaking hands-on breakdown by one of the main characters the game shifts swiftly to it's core gameplay focus in which Yui, and Haru are joining each other in the mountains as planned to watch the seasonal Summer fireworks. Perhaps a sort of flashback, or dream state? Whatever the case may be it is in this moment that they share via conversation the fact that Yui is concerned deeply with Haru's forced moving from their neighborhood. Haru unsuccessfully tries to comfort her, and assure her that they'll be together forever. Shortly thereafter on their way back home though their intended dreams for the future together are abruptly shattered when Yui encounters a spirit in the woods that spirits her away from her friend. Haru who was hiding at the advice of her friend prior to the ghostly encounter eventually goes searching for her only finding more questions than answers. This is where things really begin to get scary ...

ELEX ~ The Verdict

Pirahna Bytes' game, "ELEX" is a sight to behold, and a well narrated journey filled to the brim with the utmost attention to detail. You'll find that Magalan, the home world which all of the post-apocalyptic factions are fighting in, and where the game takes place is a beautifully rendered place enriched with tons of lively characters to talk to as well as unique locations that vary according to the residing population. The protagonist, or anti-hero of the tale who starts the story off seems to step in midway into the upheaval of each factional society, and is made an outcast who must make allies before he can exact revenge on those who wronged him. His adventure is of the open world sort, and gives the player controlling his actions, and reactions free reign on whatever tasks they wish to take on. When it comes to said tasks, or quests Jax (the anti-hero) must prioritize his objectives in order to better prepare himself for the fights ahead. This entails earning currency to buy equipment, as well as completing quests to rank up among your chosen faction to learn their skills, and improve upon your strengths via RPG stat upgrades.

ELEX ~ A Preview Review

It is launch day for ELEX, and honestly I've just scratched the surface of this 50+ hour game. I can't give it a final verdict yet as I've not played enough of it to see if it is worth the asking price. I can, however give you my thoughts on what I've experienced so far ...

ELEX, at heart is a post-apocalyptic action RPG with a warring factions theme. As the cast out protagonist of the Albs, a power hungry faction that is greedy for the newly introduced element Elex, you find yourself doing the dirty work for various other factions in order to get revenge on those who did you wrong, and stole from you. The other factions such as the Clerics, the Berserkers, and the Outlaws were each effected differently by the new element that was introduced via an asteroid, and each utilize the alien gift for a survival advantage. Some were corrupted while others learned to harness the energy source in different ways. The Berserkers, for example turned the Elex into a mana source which gave them magic powers. The Clerics were able to use Elex for technological advancements while the Albs were able to infuse Elex into their bodies to become more powerful. Those corrupted by the addiction of Elex though were eventually transformed into mutants, and became enemies of all.