Treasure Trove - Gravity Rush

Welcome back, Treasure Seekers. This week I want to talk to you about Kat, the Gravity Queen, in her game Gravity Rush. One of the only titles to really deliver the promise of console quality gaming on a handheld, this open world game inspired by Western comics is a refreshing take on the open world style of game. Listen below and feel free to check out my review on the game:   

Thanks to Konrad "FeniX" Gadzina and Cleyton R. Xavier for the music in this episode and Kenney for the minimal artwork for the logos. Head over to their links to check out more of their great work. 

Some Links
Take Your Time Review

Treasure Trove - Severed

Welcome back, Treasure Seekers. This week, I take on the best of the best when it comes to touch screen-based combat: Severed. The follow up to Drinkbox Studio's excellent platformer Guacamelee!, Severed is a bleaker look into how to cope with tragedy while delivering an elegant solution to touch screen combat controls. Listen below:  

And as I stated above, here's the link to the concept video for the game. Thanks to Konrad "FeniX" Gadzina and Cleyton R. Xavier for the music in this episode and Kenney for the minimal artwork for the logos. Head over to their links to check out more of their great work. 

Some Links
Take Your Time Review

Treasure Trove - Lone Survivor

Welcome back, Treasure Seekers. This week, I tackle a game that helped change my taste in horror games, pushing me closer towards the suspenseful and stressful: Lone Survivor. This 2D, pixel art horror-survival game is all about messing with your mind, and I absolutely love it. Listen below:  

Thanks to Konrad "FeniX" Gadzina and Cleyton R. Xavier for the music in this episode and Kenney for the minimal artwork for the logos. Head over to their links to check out more of their great work.

Slicing Swan Song for Vita - The Take Your Time Severed Review

Quick Note: The touch controls will turn many away from this fantastic game, but don't be fooled: Severed isn't a shallow recreation of Fruit Ninja or similar, simplistic titles. Beneath the surface Severed has a deep battle system that requires timing and skill from the player, which is joined by the wonderfully sparse, yet emotional, story the game delivers to make an instant classic for Sony's handheld.

Touch screen gaming has built up a bad reputation for itself. Much like the dreaded motion control scheme, the mechanics of using one's finger to deal damage to the opponent or move the character on screen has been tainted by the hundreds of games that use them all wrong. Though there is nothing inherently wrong with touch controls, most 'hardcore' gamers won't come anywhere near a game that uses touch screen mechanics as a staple to gameplay. If Severed has taught me anything, it's to not be so judgemental about a game using mechanics I do not prefer. Severed uses touch controls so well I can't imagine playing the game any other way.

Treasure Trove - God of War: Ghost of Sparta

Welcome back, Treasure Seekers. It has been a while and I apologize for the delay. For those who are new here, every other week you can find a new underrated or lesser known game to learn about here on Treasure Trove. This week we are diving into a famous PlayStation franchise: God of War. Ghost of Sparta is probably the most overlooked game in the franchise due to it being the second game on the PSP, which released as the PSP was making it's way into a shallow grave, but that doesn't mean it should be ignored. Have a quick listen as to why it is such a pivotal game of the franchise.

 

Thanks to Konrad "FeniX" Gadzina and Cleyton R. Xavier for the music in this episode and Kenney for the minimal artwork for the logos. Head over to their links to check out more of their great work.

From Stealth to Puzzler, Hitman Strikes the Mark - The Hitman Go: Definitive Edition Take Your Time Review

  
Quick Note: The puzzles are simple, yet entertaining, making them perfect for puzzle game players and newbies alike. The transition from 3rd person action/stealth to puzzle gameplay is seamless, and fits the franchise perfectly. Whether you regularly play puzzle games or are brand new to them, you're going to have a great time with Hitman Go: Definitive Edition.

The transition from console platforms to mobile is often not pretty. There are countless games that are meant to be played on a TV with a controller, and even though some of them work well enough, such as the numerous Final Fantasy games, the games just feel off. When Square Enix announced the move for the Hitman franchise to hit mobile platforms, it was a hard pill for many gamers to swallow. However, the game has been successful on mobile platforms, and now Square Enix has triumphantly brought the puzzler to consoles.

Mobile or Handheld, Sony Needs a Portable Presence

 

I really like this photo, so I had to use it again.

In a 2015 interview at EGX at the time President of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida spoke about a successor to the PlayStation Vita not being viable in the current mobile-lead environment. Shortly after the interview hit the internet, the masses followed suite, stating that this is the proof that Sony is bowing out of the handheld race, despite Yoshida-san stating in following interviews that this comment does not confirm there will be no successor to PS Vita.

Regardless of whether he meant for his comments to be seen this way or not, the gaming public is now under the impression that Sony is dropping out of handheld gaming. While some are brokenhearted, many believe this is the only thing the company can do with it's flailing handheld sales. From an immediate financial standpoint, this thought process does have some merit. But Sony  having no mobile or handheld presence will only hurt the industry giant in the long game.

Treasure Trove - Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward

Welcome back, Treasure Seekers. Every other week you can find a new underrated or lesser known game to learn about here on Treasure Trove. This week, it's time to dig deep and pull out a beautiful gem known as Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward. The second title in this underrated series follows nine captives trying to escape their death by solving tons of creative and weird puzzle rooms. It's one of the best science fiction stories found in games for sure. Enjoy!
 

Thanks to Konrad "FeniX" Gadzina and Cleyton R. Xavier for the music in this episode and Kenney for the minimal artwork for the logos. Head over to their links to check out more of their great work.

Pint Size Metroidvania - The Xeodrifter Take Your Time Review

Quick Note: Take the Metroid formula and condense it down to about 3 1/2 hours of gameplay for the perfect bite sized play through. The retro styled graphics and sound design bring back memories of yesteryear, as does the difficulty curve, so if you're not a fan of backtracking or higher difficulty, stay away. 


Metroid and Super Metroid helped create a unique blend of exploration and tension that was then refined with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night later on the PS One. This style of discovery that requires back tracking with new powers to open up more pathways in old areas has been adapted over and over again, often times to great success. Xeodrifter is the next game in line to take this patented formula and use it perfectly in a small, digestible experience of roughly three to four hours that left me feeling complete, and honestly, wanting to just play more.

Treasure Trove - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Welcome back, Treasure Seekers. Every other week you can find a new underrated or lesser known game to learn about here on Treasure Trove. The last two episodes involved very well known franchises, so now it's time to really dig for buried treasure. This week I bring you Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, a visual novel/adventure game in which students are kidnapped by a black and white killer teddy bear. "What the hell?" you may ask. Just trust me and listen to why this game is one of PS Vita's best. 

Thanks to Konrad "FeniX" Gadzina and Cleyton R. Xavier for the music in this episode and Kenney for the minimal artwork for the logos. Head over to their links to check out more of their great work.

Whispering Willows is Solid, But Missing Some Heart - The Take Your Time Review

Quick Note: Mechanically sound with an interesting premise, Whispering Willows fails to elevate itself above a generic adventure game. The ability to Astral project is a great mechanic, and the story has all the makings of an exciting tale, but ultimately the game comes off as bland and forgettable.


Adventure games have a long history, dating back to when games started to grow into a viable past time. Though there was a slow fade in the late 90's/early 00's where the genre seemed to be dying off, adventure games are alive today and more diverse than ever before. With games like the heavily narrative based Telltale's The Walking Dead, re-releases of classics like Grim Fandango, and brand new games built to emulate the classics, like Broken Age, it's really hard to recommend the bland and simple Whispering Willows over these examples and others like them.

Entwined is Better Left Behind - The Take Your Time Review

Quick Note: Though it tries to emulate the same emotional experience of games like Flower and flOw, Entwined falls way too short of those artistic experiences. The control scheme is never comfortable and the arcade style levels clash with the calming art style. Unfortunately, if you're looking for a calming, emotional experience, keep on looking. Or go back and play Flower, because it's awesome. 


Games have come a long way since the humble beginnings of vector graphics and pixel art. Today it's possible to pick up slow moving and emotional masterpieces like Journey, which stands alongside narrative driven experiences, such as Telltale's The Walking Dead or action oriented game play like God of War. The artistic approach to crafting games is an area that is growing rather quickly, but not all of these games hit the emotional core they are intended to strike. Despite all of it's efforts, Entwined stumbles out of the gate and never reaches the heights of the games it aspires to be.

Hohokum is Hohodrum - The Take Your Time Review

Quick Note: The cute aesthetic and desire to adventure into the world are mired by annoying puzzles and lack of communication to the player as to what he/she is supposed to do. Rather than feeling free, you'll often feel annoyed and wondering what the hell is going on.

Game genres have morphed and changed so much that it's becoming harder to simply classify them. This can become an exercise in frustration at times, but ultimately it means that the medium as a whole is growing and expanding, combining things we've come to know and love into new experiences. Not all of these episodes culminate into something worth playing, and unfortunately, Hohokum is one of those experiences.

Fanservice For The Pirate Manga At It's Best - The Take Your Time One Piece: Unlimited World Red Review

Quick Note: For fans of One Piece, there isn't a better adaptation of the tone and feel of the characters and the world. The combat can get stale outside of boss fights, but between the all new story, the ability to play your favorite pirates, and the extra content there's plenty of game here. Never heard of One Piece? You probably should stay away.

Anime translations to games don't always work out the way fans want them to. You would think that taking the impossible battle sequences or outlandish powers and bringing them to a medium where players can interact with them would be simple, but often times the transition leaves behind something special, making the game feel like it's glossed with the anime inspired coat of paint, but missing the heart of the source material. One Piece: Unlimited World Red is the opposite: as an adaptation of the anime/manga, it feels and looks amazing; as a game, it leaves me wishing there was just a little bit more there.

A Mixed Bag of Puzzles and Mayhem - The MonsterBag Take Your Time Review

Quick Note: The Cartoon Network style graphics hide a simple, yet violent, puzzler. Great for players looking to play something in quick bursts or those who enjoy puzzles, but be ready for the difficulty spike with the last few levels.   

Despite what many fans (and detractors) may think about the lack of big titles on Sony's handheld, the PS Vita is the perfect playground for smaller, independent games that are great for pick up and play sessions. MonsterBag joins this pantheon of games that fit so well on the Vita, though it falls just short of the greatness many more before it have reached.

Grim Fandango Remastered Brings the Classic Back To Life, But Not to The Modern Age - The Take Your Time Review

Quick Note: Grim Fandango is a piece of gaming history every gamer should experience. The characters are interesting and the story is funny, but the old school puzzles can be pretty brutal. With no hint system in place, this is not the point and click adventure game for everyone to play without a guide, but it is one that should be played.. 

Grim Fandango originally graced the public in 1998 when it was released on PC. Since it's launch, the game has been considered a masterpiece that every person who considers themselves a gamer must play. For years it was nearly impossible to obtain the game through legal ways due to issues with Lucas Arts, but now that Double Fine has re-released the game it is time for many, myself included, to experience the game for the first time. Though very much a piece of gaming history, Grim Fandango has not aged as gracefully as many had hoped and will leave many feeling frustrated, despite the great aesthetics.

Q*Bert is Making It's Return to Gaming With Q*Bert Rebooted

Image courtesy of PS Blog.

Q*Bert, the famous old school puzzle game, is coming to PlayStation platforms.

February Holds Ancient Greek and Sci-Fi Futuristic Adventures for PlayStation Plus Members

Today the PlayStation Plus games for the month of February, and they include the titular follow up to inFAMOUS Second Son.  

PS Vita is Losing Some Apps

Image courtesy of Playstation.com

It looks like the PS Vita is losing some of it's location feature apps, as well as YouTube support. 

Paperwork Keeps PS4 and Vita From Launching in China

Image courtesy of TheNewEconomy.com

Weeks back, just before the launch date, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita were postponed until further notice. The reason for this delay has remained a mystery, until today.