Game Reviews, Video Game Reviews - Studiocgames.com https://studiocgames.com/category/reviews/ Sun, 14 Jan 2024 22:20:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.5 Read Dead Online Arrowhead Locations: All Madam Nazar Arrowhead collectibles https://studiocgames.com/reviews/read-dead-online-arrowhead-locations-all-madam-nazar-arrowhead-collectibles-9/ Mon, 18 Dec 2023 01:59:00 +0000 https://studiocgames.com/?p=72781 Bookmark We have more newsletters Attention all explorers, there are many collectibles to uncover in Red Dead Online – and

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Attention all explorers, there are many collectibles to uncover in Red Dead Online – and we’re here to help you.

After the Frontier Pursuits update last summer, players were treated to the opportunity to find hundreds of collectibles.

When you take the role as the Collector, you can find items and sell them off to Madam Nazar.

Each week you’ll be given a new set of Weekly Collectibles which you need to hunt down for Madam Nazar – who isn’t easy to find in herself.

As a side note, if you want to find Madam Nazar, you can follow this link.

One of the numerous missions Collectors can undertake is finding the Arrowheads in Red Dead Online.

Unfortunately, it won’t be easy.

You’ve got to locate 36 separate items across the map. And if that wasn’t enough, they change location every day.

There is a fixed spawn location for each item, which changes every day at 12am GMT (8pm ET/5pm PT).

To make it even more confusing, the locations move on three-day cycles.

Thankfully, the kind folk at GTA Series Videos have pulled together a YouTube clip with each location, making this a whole lot easier.

You can view the video to find the locations, or keep reading to find a list of each individual Arrowhead along with a timestamp to help you locate it.

** UPDATE ** All the fixed locations of each arrowhead, sorted for Cycle 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 can now be seen below. You can still use the timestamps to show you each location for each day.

  • Red Dead Online Family Heirloom Map Locations: Madam Nazar Collectors Guide

Day 2:

8:30 – Quartz Arrowhead

9:07 – Chipped Arrowhead

9:57 – Crude Arrowhead

10:33 – Obsidian Arrowhead

11:11 – Splintered Arrowhead

11:46 – Flint Arrowhead

12:42 – Slate Arrowhead

13:30 – Agate Arrowhead

14:13 – Raw Arrowhead

14:48 – Feldspar Arrowhead

15:26 – Bone Arrowhead

16:13 – Rough Arrowhead

  • Red Dead Online Necklace Map Locations: All Madam Nazar Lost Jewelry Collectors Guide

Day 3:

16:54 – Splintered Arrowhead

17:30 – Slate Arrowhead

18:09 – Bone Arrowhead

18:45 – Raw Arrowhead

19:20 – Agate Arrowhead

20:15 – Rough Arrowhead

20:51 – Quartz Arrowhead

21:27 – Obsidian Arrowhead

22:13 – Crude Arrowhead

22:47 – Flint Arrowhead

23:22 – Feldspar Arrowhead

23:58 – Chipped Arrowhead

Red Dead Redemption 2 Guides

  • Red Dead Online Collector item locations
  • Red Dead Redemption 2 Update v1.12
  • Red Dead Online Madam Nazar Location
  • How to find Red Dead Online horse masks?
  • Day 4:

    24:43 – Obsidian Arrowhead

    25:38 – Agate Arrowhead

    26:11 – Rough Arrowhead

    26:48 – Chipped Arrowhead

    27:27 – Quartz Arrowhead

    28:02 – Feldspar Arrowhead

    28:41 – Slate Arrowhead

    29:21 – Splintered Arrowhead

    29:55 – Bone Arrowhead

    30:29 – Raw Arrowhead

    31:03 – Flint Arrowhead

    31:37 – Crude Arrowhead

    • Red Dead Online Earring Map Locations: All Madam Nazar Lost Jewelry collectibles

    Day 5:

    32:15 – Bone Arrowhead

    32:51 – Splintered Arrowhead

    33:34 – Flint Arrowhead

    34:15 – Raw Arrowhead

    34:57 – Agate Arrowhead

    35:35 – Slate Arrowhead

    36:17 – Chipped Arrowhead

    3 6:52 – Obsidian Arrowhead

    37:27 – Feldspar Arrowhead

    38:07 – Crude Arrowhead

    38:47 – Rough Arrowhead

    39:25 – Quartz Arrowhead

    Day 6:

    40:21 – Slate Arrowhead

    41:03 – Crude Arrowhead

    41:41 – Raw Arrowhead

    42:20 – Obsidian Arrowhead

    42:58 – Chipped Arrowhead

    43:35 – Bone Arrowhead

    44:18 – Flint Arrowhead

    44:59 – Splintered Arrowhead

    45:50 – Agate Arrowhead

    46:29 – Quartz Arrowhead

    47:06 – Rough Arrowhead

    4 7:46 – Feldspar Arrowhead

    Latest Games News

  • PS Plus July 2020 – Free Games Latest
  • Xbox Series X games reveal set for July
  • GTA 5 on PlayStation 5 may add VR mode
  • Mortal Kombat 11 – Ash Williams update
    • Red Dead Redemption 2
    • Red Dead Online

    Source: Read Full Article

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    Ragnarock is a heavy metal viking themed PSVR2 rhythm game worth buying https://studiocgames.com/reviews/ragnarock-is-a-heavy-metal-viking-themed-psvr2-rhythm-game-worth-buying/ Mon, 11 Dec 2023 15:59:26 +0000 https://studiocgames.com/?p=72759 Music fans who love a bit of heavy metal will dig this virtual reality rhythm game. As fans are still

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    Music fans who love a bit of heavy metal will dig this virtual reality rhythm game.

    As fans are still getting used to the new PSVR2 headset the titles keep coming thick and fast.

    And this Oculus hit transfers brilliantly to the new console device.

    It’s a simple game at its heart – hit the drums in time to the rhythm of the ever oncoming Guitar Hero-style runes.

    You’re in charge of a Viking ship and the beat of your drums is what keeps your crew rowing.

    So miss-hit and its bad news, but a decent flurry of successful beats and you’ll notch up huge scores.

    The tracks you rock along too are from bands most people will never have heard of.

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    Heavy metal groups like Alestorm, Gloryhammer, Saltatio Mortis and Wind Rose provide more than 30 thumping guitar-laden tunes to rock along to.

    And you can play each song at three different difficulties.

    It’s great fun and, as a rock and roll fan, it was quite refreshing to be doing a rhythm game to my favourite style of music to acts I’d mostly never even heard of before.

    The celtic vibes of tunes, mixing speedy bagpipes with double-kick metal tunes for example, pumped along at such pace even in the simplest of difficulties that they were a challenge.

    When I tried the harder settings the drum rolls got ridiculously complex and made me laugh out loud continuously as I flailed my arms all over the place trying to keep up with my viking hammers.

    Multiplayer mode sees you taking on up to five online rivals in a bid to outrace each other. The more correct hits, the quicker you row to the finish line. Great stuff.

    Ragnarock is easy to play, hard to master.

    • PSVR2 is an amazing piece of 4K PS5 tech that elevates virtual reality

    Only the most experienced players will be able to collect all the gold medals on offer in game, beat the high scores and sign their name on the VR leaderboard.

    It looks amazing, with a No Man’s Sky style colourful cartoon backdrop design as you rock your way through vibrant other-worldly plains and rivers.

    The Nordic and rock influenced rowing arenas are wonderfully built and you struggle to keep you eyes on the drums in front as you gawp around at giant sword-waving beasts, rainbow rivers and oncoming space castles.

    It’s all a bit trippy, intense in gameplay, musically brilliant and highly enjoyable.

    This is exactly what VR is there for. Not bad at all for £20.

    VERDICT 4/5

    Source: Read Full Article

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    Exploring the Latest in Money-Based Gaming with a Spotlight on Aviator https://studiocgames.com/reviews/exploring-the-latest-in-money-based-gaming-with-a-spotlight-on-aviator/ Fri, 08 Dec 2023 22:17:41 +0000 https://studiocgames.com/?p=72793 The world of online gaming is evolving rapidly, especially in the domain where gaming meets monetary gains. This niche is

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    The world of online gaming is evolving rapidly, especially in the domain where gaming meets monetary gains. This niche is no longer just about entertainment; it’s about skill, strategy, and the potential for real financial rewards. A standout in this arena is ‘Aviator’, a game that’s gaining traction among players worldwide. For those eager to delve into these games, 1win.com presents a perfect platform for exploration and testing.

    Aviator: A New Gaming Sensation

    ‘Aviator’ is capturing the imagination of the gaming community with its unique and engaging gameplay. Its premise is straightforward yet captivating: players place bets on an increasing multiplier as a virtual plane takes flight. The challenge lies in cashing out before the plane flies away. The game perfectly embodies the gamer’s creed, “Risk it for the biscuit”, as players balance greed with caution. It’s a thrilling blend of luck, timing, and nerve.

    Kingdom Conquest: Strategy at Its Finest

    For those who thrive on strategy, ‘Kingdom Conquest’ is a must-try. This game combines elements of resource management, strategy, and real-time tactics. Players are tasked with building and expanding their kingdoms, making strategic decisions that directly impact their virtual economies. It’s a world where the adage “Think twice, move once” is more relevant than ever, especially when real money is at stake.

    Cosmic Challenge: Racing to Riches

    ‘Racing enthusiasts, meet your match in ‘Cosmic Challenge’. This game takes the classic racing genre and infuses it with a financial twist. Players race against each other in high-speed intergalactic tracks where victory can mean a substantial monetary gain. The game resonates with the spirit of “Go hard or go home”, appealing to those who enjoy high adrenaline and high stakes.

    Testing Platform: 1win.com

    1win.com emerges as an ideal platform for players looking to test their mettle in these new and exciting games. The website offers a seamless gaming experience, complete with user guides, community forums, and the opportunity to try games in a risk-free environment before playing with real money.

    The new era of money-based gaming is here, bringing with it a diverse array of games that cater to various tastes and skills. From the unpredictability of ‘Aviator’ to the strategic depth of empire-building games, there’s a world of opportunity for those looking to combine gaming prowess with the thrill of earning. Discover these games and more at 1win.com, where gaming meets the excitement of financial reward.

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    C-Smash VRS is a brilliant PSVR2 multiplayer game mixing tennis and Tetris https://studiocgames.com/reviews/c-smash-vrs-is-a-brilliant-psvr2-multiplayer-game-mixing-tennis-and-tetris/ Fri, 08 Dec 2023 18:39:24 +0000 https://studiocgames.com/?p=72751 Back in 2001 there was a game on the Sega Dreamcast console called Cosmic Smash. In it, you’d basically travel

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    Back in 2001 there was a game on the Sega Dreamcast console called Cosmic Smash.

    In it, you’d basically travel through a futuristic utopia knocking down Tetris-like blocks at each level with a squash racket and ball.

    C-Smash VRS is a revamp and/or successor to that title on the Playstation VR2 headset.

    And it’s great.

    The same basic, white blocky future is on display here with a unique but simple striking animation style.

    It really suits the headset and, thanks to the pin-sharp visual display, really feels like you’re in a futuristic space station world.

    And the game becomes a whole new thing in 2023 thanks to the immersive virtual reality and VR2 Sense controllers.

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    Now you’re able to be the character fully for the first time, seeing your racket and hands in front of you, firing the ball like a sports pro with curve and accuracy.

    And because the game is so simple – basically Tetris tennis – you’ll be up and gaming in a matter of minutes.

    The difficulty ramps up as you find yourself with ever-more blocks to hit with ever decreasing time limits to do it in single-player.

    In solo mode that makes for quite the challenge and it’s easy to find yourself immersed in the game for perhaps longer than you realise.

    But the beauty of this game is its multiplayer.

    Again, it’s very easy to get a game going online with another person in the PSVR2 universe.

    And the result is real-time bat-and-ball gameplay, where tactics and sheer determination take over for hours of fun.

    It plays really well, you almost feel that bat in your hand as the ball does what you want it to, and the intensity of the competition is as real as any squash court.

    Add in a cool throbbing soundtrack and you’ve got a very nice VR title here for the new headset.

    And probably our favourite VR multiplayer so far.

    The only downside is that it is a bit of a one-trick pony and I came away a little headachy at times from, my fault, overplaying.

    Still – at £24.49 – well worth a look for VR fans keen on their next purchase.

    VERDICT 4/5

    Source: Read Full Article

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    Is GTA 5 coming to Nintendo Switch? Rockstar release date news & latest rumours https://studiocgames.com/reviews/is-gta-5-coming-to-nintendo-switch-rockstar-release-date-news-latest-rumours/ Thu, 07 Dec 2023 19:58:54 +0000 https://studiocgames.com/?p=72747 Bookmark We have more newsletters After months of speculation about whether or not we'll see Grand Theft Auto 5 on

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    After months of speculation about whether or not we'll see Grand Theft Auto 5 on Switch, a recent update from the game's publisher (Take Two Interactive) has hinted that the game may be coming to Nintendo's newest console.

    In an interview with GamesIndustry.biz, Take Two CEO Straus Zelnick said that "what we've put out so far [on Switch] has been successful".

    Zelnick goes on to suggest that more Take Two / Rockstar games would be coming to the console, citing the successful sales numbers of the games so far as motivation for releasing more games on the platform.

    That means we could see a port of GTAV sooner rather than later, and we could also see other Take Two games appear on the Switch, too: the likes of Red Dead Redemption, the Mafia series, BioShock, X-COM and more could be heading to the portable platform soon.

    The publisher's next game, Carnival Games, will be coming to the Switch in November.

    GTA 6 Release Rumours, Leaks and News

  • GTA 6 release date narrowed down by fans
  • Rockstar Games reveal is good for GTA 6
  • New Rockstar 'Unannounced AAA' game leak
  • GTA 6 release teased by Rockstar insider
  • This comes as GTA 5 Online's newest set of DLC has just released.

    The new DLC will see a slew of new content added to the game (see below) as well as a storyline featuring veteran GTA characters Lazlow and 'Gay' Tony Prince, which will take you on a tour of Los Santos seedy underbelly.

    If you're curious about what to expect from the new GTA Online expansion, thankfully Rockstar's press release has given us a small bit of insight the new additions.

    The release states Los Santos is a city of bright lights, long nights and dirty secrets, and they don’t come brighter, longer or dirtier than in GTA Online: After Hours.

    The DLC will let you partner with legendary impresario Tony Prince to open and operate a top-shelf Nightclub featuring world-class DJ acts Solomun, Tale of Us, Dixon and The Black Madonna, and use it as a front for the most concentrated network of criminal enterprise ever to hit San Andreas.

    Here's a quick rundown of new features, as detailed by the fine folk at RockstarIntel.com :

    • Blimps are coming to GTA Online
    • New vehicles and liveries are added, including the Jester Classic
    • The Patriot comes as a stretch limousine – with included liveries.
    • The Pounder Custom will be added: This is a customizable version of the Pounder with a Ram and Missiles
    • GTA Online will get a party bus
    • More military vehicles will be added
    • Lazlow and Gay Tony are returning to the GTA Universe

    You can read more about the DLC here.

    Latest Games News

  • PS Plus July 2020 – Free Games Latest
  • Xbox Series X games reveal set for July
  • GTA 5 on PlayStation 5 may add VR mode
  • Mortal Kombat 11 – Ash Williams update
    • Nintendo
    • Rockstar Games
    • GTA 5

    Source: Read Full Article

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    Here's The First Trailer For Amazon's Fallout TV Show https://studiocgames.com/reviews/heres-the-first-trailer-for-amazons-fallout-tv-show/ Mon, 04 Dec 2023 15:39:31 +0000 https://studiocgames.com/?p=72729 After years of waiting, Amazon Studios has released the first trailer for its upcoming TV adaptation of Fallout. The series

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    After years of waiting, Amazon Studios has released the first trailer for its upcoming TV adaptation of Fallout. The series is set to premiere on April 12 on Amazon Prime, and this teaser proves that visually speaking, the series appears to faithfully capture the essence of Bethesda’s beloved RPG.

    Fallout is brought to life by Westworld showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, with Bethesda head Todd Howard serving as executive producer. The cast includes Ella Purnell as a freshly emerged Vault 33 dweller named Lucy and Walton Goggins as a gunslinging ghoul aptly dubbed “The Ghoul,” and the series synopsis reads as follows:

    Based on one of the greatest video game series of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. 200 years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind — and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird and highly violent universe waiting for them. 

    The trailer packs in what a lot of fans would expect from a Fallout adaptation: power armor, vaults, irradiated, mutated creatures, exploding headshots, and a dark sense of humor. Here’s hoping it can live up to recent live-action success stories such as The Last of Us and Twisted Metal.

    What do you think of this first look at Fallout? Let us know in the comments!

    Source: Read Full Article

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    Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Resumes Production, Reveals New Look At Shadow https://studiocgames.com/reviews/sonic-the-hedgehog-3-resumes-production-reveals-new-look-at-shadow/ Wed, 29 Nov 2023 20:39:06 +0000 https://studiocgames.com/?p=72718 We found out last August that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was set to hit theaters on December 20, 2024, but

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    We found out last August that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was set to hit theaters on December 20, 2024, but a new teaser gave us another glimpse at its newest star: Shadow the Hedgehog.

    I saw “another” because Shadow briefly appears during Sonic the Hedgehog 2’s mid-credits scene, setting him up as presumably the antagonist of the third film. While we still don’t know his exact role or who will voice him, today’s image, posted above, provides a good look at Shadow below the neck (does he have a neck?), namely his signature air shoes. 

    Off and RUNNING. #SonicMovie3
    Only in theatres December 20, 2024 pic.twitter.com/BUIlurNIC0

    Production on Sonic the Hedgehog 3 had stalled due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes, and today’s update confirms that work has resumed following the strike’s suspension. Jeff Fowler remains in the director’s chair, and the returning cast includes Ben Schwartz (Sonic), Colleen O’Shaughnessey (Tails), Idris Elba (Knuckles), and James Marsden (Tom Wachowski).

    Whatever the third film entails, it has one heck of an act to follow. Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was a box office smash, becoming the highest-grossing video game film of all time in the U.S. until The Super Mario Bros. Movie took that crown earlier this year. A live-action TV spin-off starring Knuckles is also in the works and slated to release early next year. 

    Source: Read Full Article

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    After Us is a pretty but bland PS5 post-apocalypse platforming game https://studiocgames.com/reviews/after-us-is-a-pretty-but-bland-ps5-post-apocalypse-platforming-game/ Tue, 14 Nov 2023 22:39:14 +0000 https://studiocgames.com/?p=72643 This Journey-like third person platformer looks lovely but plays bland. You star as Gaia, the Spirit of Life, in a

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    This Journey-like third person platformer looks lovely but plays bland.

    You star as Gaia, the Spirit of Life, in a quest to restore a bleak and broken planet by reviving the spirits of dead animals.

    It means hunting down the likes of the last dog to live in wide open levels that are beautifully animated.

    Think a post-apocalypse world torn apart, splashed in a heady mix of darkness and colour and you’re somewhat there.

    Gaia has the ability to bring the immediate world around her to life again, so with a tap of a button you can push back the oil slick menace covering the world with a sudden bloom of lush green growth.

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    It’s a sight to behold on the modern consoles.

    But the underlying gameplay falls flat quite quickly.

    It’s all a bit ‘run here, jump there’ with the aim of hunting down the life forces of those various last animals across fairly basic platforming and puzzle biomes.

    The controls can be fiddly and on multiple occasions Gaia didn’t do what I’d wanted her to.

    The story is heartfelt but forgettable.

    Its aim is clearly to shine a light on the collapse of our environment in real life, amplified to the ultimate ending.

    And the look, and oppressive sound, does well in building a sad, broken world that you desperately need to resurrect.

    But gameplay-wise there’s not enough here to really grip and keep hold of you.

    This type of game has been done far better before.

    VERDICT 3/5

    Source: Read Full Article

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    Super Mario RPG Preview – Do Link And Donkey Kong Still Cameo In Super Mario RPG Remake? – Game Informer https://studiocgames.com/reviews/super-mario-rpg-preview-do-link-and-donkey-kong-still-cameo-in-super-mario-rpg-remake-game-informer/ Thu, 02 Nov 2023 14:39:39 +0000 https://studiocgames.com/?p=72595 Back in the 90s, Nintendo played faster and looser with its library of characters. Sometimes Yoshi showed up in The

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    Back in the 90s, Nintendo played faster and looser with its library of characters. Sometimes Yoshi showed up in The Legend of Zelda and Kirby was whatever color he felt like in the moment be it gray or pink. In 1996, that laissez faire attitude was in full effect for the release of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars for the Super Nintendo. Link, Samus, and even Donkey Kong (sort of) all had inexplicable cameos in the game, and one of my big questions about the remake was whether or not those would move forward. If you’re ready to learn the answer for at least some of them, read on!

    Impressively, the answer is yes! At least for Link and Donkey Kong. I have not been able to play to the point in the game where Samus appears, so I can’t answer that question yet. When get close to Link after seeing him the sleeping bed a “talk” option appears and when you click it, a Zelda musical sting plays.

    Donkey Kong’s cameo is questionable as to whether or not it is him as he is just labeled Guerilla, but he sure looks a lot like Donkey Kong. Just with a crown.

    The Super Mario RPG releases November 17 for Nintendo Switch.


    Products In This Article

    Super Mario RPG

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    Jusant Review – Reaching The Summit – Game Informer https://studiocgames.com/reviews/jusant-review-reaching-the-summit-game-informer/ Tue, 31 Oct 2023 16:38:56 +0000 https://studiocgames.com/?p=72570 Jusant asks players to do one thing: climb. As a silent mountaineer accompanied by a cute critter, the only thing

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    Jusant asks players to do one thing: climb. As a silent mountaineer accompanied by a cute critter, the only thing standing between you and your mysterious mission is one very tall mountain. The journey to its summit is treacherous, but thanks to an ingenious climbing system, beautiful art direction, and intriguing world-building, inching toward the top is worth the effort. 

    The intuitive climbing mechanics are the star of the show. Pressing the left and right shoulder buttons lets you grip handholds with the corresponding hands of the climber while you aim with the left stick. The back-and-forth rhythm of hitting both buttons to pull yourself up precarious terrain feels natural and realistic without being cumbersome. Gripping drains a stamina meter, and though managing this isn’t often difficult, it does add a nice element of thoughtfulness and tension to the ascent. Climbing excels, but simply walking can be troublesome as the character has a habit of getting stuck on even the most negligible geometry, such as small pieces of rubble, resulting in awkward jumping and spinning to break loose. 

    Your only tool is a retractable climbing rope that automatically anchors you to a wall, meaning you can never fall to your death (or die in general). While this contributes to the game’s relaxed, meditative atmosphere, that doesn’t mean failure isn’t a factor. Slipping sends you dangling back to where you began, which can result in having to reclimb lengthy stretches. You can prevent demoralizing setbacks by staking up to three pitons as you climb, extending your reach while creating makeshift checkpoints. I love the strategy of managing the placement of my pitons, as it gave me creative agency in how I navigated tricky sections – namely walls lacking handholds – while ensuring any lost progress was entirely my fault due to bad or infrequent piton staking. The rope also allows for performing fun maneuvers like swinging across gaps or wall-running to reach distant goals. 

    Ballast, the climber’s cute, water-like pet, offers another helping hand. Hitting a button makes it emit a pulse that transforms organic elements, such as making giant flower bulbs sprout climbable buds or causing vines to grow rapidly and letting you hitch a free ride on them. There’s only a small handful of these tricks, but they complement traditional climbing while adding an entertaining layer of whimsy.  

    These mechanics result in climbing that feels challenging in the right ways. Scaling the mountain requires enough physical effort and coordination combined with mindful planning to make hitting each elevation milestone feel like a well-earned accomplishment. Looking down over a cliff to see the entire section I just completed before looking up at the obstacles to come is satisfying and daunting. Climbing in games is often shades of being either mind-numbingly simplistic or painfully tedious. Jusant strikes a great sweet spot. The great controls made me confident and eager to tackle the well-crafted, puzzle-like climbing routes and obstacles. 

    Developer Don’t Nod does a great job of mixing up Jusant’s premise by introducing new environmental or platforming challenges in each of the game’s six chapters. One section has you riding powerful wind gusts to reach far-off platforms. Rock-like bugs serve as moving handholds that can carry the player along, provided you watch the path they’re on and adjust if they lead you astray. One of my favorite areas lets you scale and swing across massive stalactites in a giant, bioilluminated cave. Jusant has a relatively short run time (about six hours), but it remains fresh and engaging throughout. 

    Jusant’s picturesque scenery looks fantastic. Set in a world that has mysteriously lost nearly all traces of water, the mountain is situated in a dry, vast seabed. Dehydrated coral, fossilized seashells, and shipwrecked vessels provide the only evidence of the former ocean, as do numerous abandoned settlements where a lost society once called the mountain home. It may technically be a world in ruin, but the warm colors, great lighting, and sharp art design make it fun to look at. 

    How this calamity happened, and the plight of the people who experienced it is told through a series of sometimes lengthy but fascinating diaries. Whether it was the story of a young woman eagerly abandoning her home life to embark on an expedition to the summit or the day-to-day musings of folks who can’t fathom living on a horizontal plane, these logs are enjoyable and worthwhile reads that provide vital context to the world and your quest.

    Numerous paths inside and outside the mountain hide various collectibles and interactive artifacts, such as wall paintings telling a grand legend and seashells that provide audio-only flashbacks of this lost civilization. I went out of my way to find as many of these as possible, and thankfully, the game tracks all of them. That makes revisiting chapters to locate missed items an easy and inviting proposition. Even if you can’t collect it, I was happy to find new rooms, stores, and other infrastructure to get a better idea of these people’s way of life. 

    Jusant is my favorite Don’t Nod title since the original Life is Strange and is one of the year’s best gems. The climbing mechanics are so smart and well-executed that I hope other games take notes. Add an inviting presentation, a pleasant soundtrack, and an alluring air of mystery and isolation reminiscent of Team Ico’s best works, and Jusant is a rewarding expedition.





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