DotGG is here today to give our Wuthering Waves CBT2 Review. Also known as WuWa within the gaming community, this game is the latest open-world gacha game from Kuro Games, has generated a lot of buzz. Touted as a potential genre leader, the game recently completed its Closed Beta Test 2 (CBT2), revealing both exciting features and areas for improvement. Let's dive into a comprehensive review of Wuthering Waves based on the CBT2 experience.

Exploration and Combat: A Breath of Fresh Air

Wuthering Waves offers a vast open world to explore, brimming with resources, puzzles, and combat encounters. Players will find similarities to Genshin Impact, but Wuthering Waves stands out with its high-mobility mechanics and dynamic combat system. You'll build teams of characters with unique skills and abilities, chaining combos and mastering the battlefield. The Echo system, reminiscent of Pokémon held items, adds another layer of strategic depth by providing stat boosts and special combat effects.

Story: A Slow Burn with Potential

The initial storyline in Wuthering Waves might feel familiar, but things pick up with the introduction of compelling antagonists and intriguing plot developments. While the inability to skip main story quests might not appeal to everyone, the narrative holds promise and leaves you wanting more.

Difficulty Curve: A Gradual Climb

The difficulty in Wuthering Waves offers a mixed bag. Early gameplay feels relatively easy, letting you learn the ropes. However, as you progress, you'll encounter more challenging content, especially in tactical hologram challenges and endgame activities. Mastering combat mechanics and team composition becomes crucial to overcome these obstacles.

The Endgame Grind: Daily Tasks and Beyond

The endgame in Wuthering Waves revolves around daily tasks, tower challenges, and a rogue-like mode, offering a variety of ways to keep playing. Stamina-based mechanics ensure a consistent grind for resources and character progression, but this might feel limiting for some players in the long run.

Echoes: A Double-Edged Sword

The Echo system provides a refreshing take on character customization compared to traditional artifact systems in gacha games. However, Echoes present a significant challenge due to their randomized substats and resource requirements for enhancement. While collecting Echoes adds depth, the grind for optimal builds can be daunting, especially for free-to-play players.

Gacha System: Familiar Format with Questions

The gacha system in Wuthering Waves follows a familiar format, offering character and weapon banners with varying pull rates. While the game attempts to address some common gacha issues with guaranteed pulls, concerns remain regarding the necessity of certain items for peak performance.

Genshin Impact Copycat or Genre Contender?

Comparisons to Genshin Impact are inevitable due to the shared genre and open-world elements. However, Wuthering Waves goes beyond mere imitation, introducing unique features and mechanics that carve its own path in the gacha game landscape.

Similarities to Genshin Impact

• Open world exploration
• Character collecting
• Story quests
• Monetization (gacha system, character and account leveling)

Differences from Genshin Impact

• Daily tasks and resource gathering
• Mobility (wall-running)
• Combat system (more complex, with parrying mechanics)
• Echo system (like artifact system in Genshin Impact, but with some differences)
  • Easier to farm for Echoes, but harder to get good substats
  • More layers of RNG involved in getting the perfect Echo
• Standard banner system (separate character and weapon banners, with the option to choose the specific 5-star weapon you want)

Marketing Matters: Lessons from Punishing Gray Raven

A major concern from our team here in DotGG is Kuro Games' marketing strategy. Punishing Gray Raven, another Kuro Games title, faced a limited launch due to what many perceive as insufficient marketing efforts. With Wuthering Waves generating significant buzz, effective promotion, particularly for English-speaking audiences and streamers, is crucial for a successful launch. Kuro, if you're reading this Wuthering Waves CBT2 review, we hope that you'll do a good job marketing this game!

Localization Issues: Bridging the Language Gap

The Closed Beta Test revealed localization issues, including typos and inaccurate weapon substats. While common in beta testing, addressing these concerns, especially across multiple languages, is vital for a smooth global launch.

Launch Timing: Prioritizing Polish

The rumored two-month launch window raises questions. While it's an exciting prospect, ensuring a polished experience takes priority. Players suggest a slight delay, potentially to three months, to allow for thorough bug fixes and refinement. While core gameplay mechanics are engaging, there's room for improvement. Concerns include movement jank (e.g., stiff jumping) and a lack of features requested by players, such as artifact and Echo loadouts. While some features can be added post-launch, a focus on polish during the pre-launch window is essential.

Final Thoughts: A Promising Voyage with Room for Improvement

Wuthering Waves shows immense potential as a serious contender in the gacha game market. Its engaging gameplay, innovative mechanics, and vibrant open world offer a captivating experience. However, concerns remain regarding launch preparation, localization issues, and game optimization. Addressing these challenges through continued development and community feedback will be crucial for a successful launch. Ultimately, Wuthering Waves is a promising voyage waiting to set sail, with the potential to make waves (pun intended) in the gaming industry.

The Game's Device Requirements

• Minimum specs are for Closed Beta II (CBT2) and may change.
• Android: Requires Android 7.0 or higher and a Snapdragon 835/MediaTek G71/G72 processor (or equivalent).
• iOS: Requires iPhone 11 or newer with iOS 13 or higher.
• PC: Requires Windows 10 64-bit, Intel i5 (9th Gen) or Ryzen 2700 CPU, Nvidia GeForce 1060 or AMD RX570 GPU, 16GB+ RAM, and 40GB+ storage.
• Downloaded game size: 12GB (Android/iOS), 25GB (PC).

The post Wuthering Waves CBT2 Review: Is it a Genshin Impact Killer? appeared first on DotGG.

Brace yourself for a modern tactical JRPG adventure masterpiece! Unicorn Overlord, a decade in the making by Vanillaware, blends classic charm with modern innovation. This highly-anticipated title promises an immersive journey through the war-torn continent of Fevrith. Unravel a saga of betrayal, redemption, and strategic warfare. Navigate political intrigue, assemble powerful allies, and reclaim lost kingdoms in Unicorn Overlord. Vanillaware's meticulous attention to detail crafts a vibrant world teeming with diverse races and unforgettable characters.

Step into the shoes of Alain, an exiled prince seeking to overthrow the tyrannical Zenoiran Empire led by the enigmatic General Valmore. The fate of Fevrith rests on your choices as you delve into a rich tapestry of alliances, rivalries, and personal struggles. Unicorn Overlord boasts a distinct visual style that captivates from the start. Led by director Takafumi Noma and artist extraordinaire George Kamitani, the game features lush landscapes and intricately designed characters. Vanillaware's signature aesthetic breathes life into Fevrith, inviting you to lose yourself in its captivating world.

Unicorn Overlord Battle System: Command, Conquer, and Claim Victory

The battlefield in Unicorn Overlord is your domain, where every decision holds weight and maneuvers dictate the flow of war. This tactical RPG masterfully blends classic elements with modern twists, offering a dynamic and immersive combat experience.

Real-Time Strategy at its Core

Unicorn Overlord throws you into the heat of real-time strategy. As the exiled prince Alain, you'll command your army across vast battlefields, facing the Zenoiran Empire's forces in large-scale clashes that demand cunning strategies and quick thinking.

Building the Perfect Force

Deployment is key in Unicorn Overlord. You'll meticulously craft your army composition, selecting units with diverse abilities and strengths to form a balanced and powerful force. Each unit accommodates up to six characters, allowing you to customize formations to suit your tactics.

Maneuvering for Advantage

Battles unfold with you navigating the battlefield, capturing strategic objectives and outsmarting enemy troops. Real-time movement and combat create a sense of urgency and excitement in every encounter. Utilize terrain features, exploit enemy weaknesses, and craft clever tactics to triumph against overwhelming odds.

Action Points and Beyond

Action Points (AP) and Passive Points (PP) are central to combat. AP fuels attack abilities, while PP powers support skills like healing and cover. Effective resource management is crucial, demanding a strategic balance between offense and defense to overcome foes.

Valor and Field Abilities

Unicorn Overlord introduces a unique system of field abilities activated using Valor points earned through battle actions. These abilities grant strategic advantages, allowing you to turn the tide of combat. From boosting movement speed and attack power to providing defensive buffs, field abilities add depth and complexity to the gameplay.

A Continuous Challenge

As you progress through the campaign, you'll encounter an ever-evolving array of challenges and enemies, each requiring a distinct approach. From epic boss battles testing your tactical prowess to skirmishes against waves of enemy forces, Unicorn Overlord offers a diverse and engaging combat experience that will keep you strategizing and conquering.

Unicorn Overlord: Heroes, Villains, and a War-Torn World

Unveiling Fevrith's Champions and Scoundrels

Unicorn Overlord's story isn't just about war. It's about the characters who fight it. From the exiled prince Alain to the ruthless General Valmore, each figure brings a unique story and motive, weaving a rich narrative tapestry.

Leading the Charge: Prince Alain

Players embody Prince Alain, the rightful heir to Cornea, thrust from his throne. Witness his journey as he gathers allies and reclaims his kingdom, his leadership tested by war's unforgiving crucible.

A Fellowship Forged in Conflict

Alain is not alone. A diverse cast joins his quest, each with their own strengths and personalities. From cunning strategists to battle-hardened warriors, these allies forge bonds of friendship amidst turmoil.

The Iron Fist: General Valmore

Every hero needs a villain. General Valmore, the ruthless leader of the Zenoiran Empire, embodies conquest and domination. His legions and dark magic pose a formidable threat to Alain and his allies.

A World of Unforgettable Characters

As you navigate Fevrith's web of alliances and betrayals, you'll encounter a cast of characters who define this war-torn world. Unicorn Overlord offers a rich and immersive experience, keeping you engaged from start to finish.

The Pros and Cons of Unicorn Overlord Simplified

Pros

• Deep Strategy Gameplay: This game offers complex combat mechanics with unit formations, leader skills, and customizable tactics, inspired by titles like Fire Emblem.
• Open World Exploration: Unlike traditional tactical RPGs, Unicorn Overlord allows free exploration of a world map between battles. Players can take on side quests, recruit allies, and shop for equipment.
• Resource Management: The game emphasizes resource management with limited Valor points for unit deployment and special skills, consumable items with restricted use per battle, and a time limit for each encounter.
• Unit Buildup and Strategy: Building strong squads, strategically forming them for battle, and adapting to enemy formations are core gameplay aspects.
• Beautiful Presentation: The game's stunning 2D sprite-based graphics and animations was awesome for this modern tactical JRPG adventure.

Cons

• Predictable Story: The plot relies on a generic trope of a McGuffin (unicorn ring) used to counter mind control and recruit enemies, making the story predictable.
• Localization Concerns: There's controversy around the localization potentially taking liberties with the original script, but we didn't find the dialogue to be egregiously bad.

Conclusion: A Triumph for Strategy Fans

Unicorn Overlord is a tactical RPG masterpiece that delivers on its decade-long development. With its blend of classic charm and modern innovations, it offers a deep strategic experience with a captivating narrative and a memorable cast of characters. Whether you're a seasoned strategist or a newcomer to the genre, Unicorn Overlord has something to offer.

Thank you for joining us at DotGG for this review of Unicorn Overlord: A Modern Tactical JRPG Adventure. We hope you found it informative and engaging. Be sure to check back often for more in-depth game reviews, news, and features. Until next time, happy gaming!

The post Unicorn Overlord: A Modern Tactical JRPG Adventure appeared first on DotGG.

Welcome to DotGG's Sword of Convallaria demo review where we aim to give our thoughts about the game after a few of our team members tried the Demo for ourselves! Since we have given you all the latest update of the game previously, we thought it's good to let you all know our opinions about the game's demo as well. By the way, if you haven't already... You can download the FREE demo at the Steam Store now (please refer below).

Fans of tactical RPGs, rejoice! Sword of Convallaria, a new title inspired by classics like Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre, has recently released a free demo on Steam. This demo offers a substantial chunk of the game's single-player campaign, allowing players to experience the unique blend of story, strategy, and world-building that the game has to offer. So, is Sword of Convallaria worth your time? Let's delve into the demo and explore its key features.

Engaging Narrative with Choice and Consequence

One of the most compelling aspects of Sword of Convallaria is its narrative. You take on the role of a mercenary shrouded in amnesia, joining a group called "The Sword of Convallaria" in a world fraught with political tensions and the allure of powerful crystals. The demo throws you right into the thick of things, introducing you to the diverse cast and setting the stage for the larger conflict. Choices made throughout the demo influence the narrative, offering a glimpse into the game's potential for replayability and player agency.

Strategic Depth and Unit Management

At its core, Sword of Convallaria is a tactical RPG. The turn-based combat system is familiar yet nuanced, with various character classes boasting unique abilities and playstyles. The demo showcases the tactical depth, requiring players to consider unit positioning, environmental factors, and resource management to achieve victory. Managing your mercenary group outside of battle is equally important. Units require training to level up and learn new skills, while maintaining their stamina plays a crucial role in their effectiveness during combat.

Beautiful Neopixel Visuals and Immersive Soundscape

Sword of Convallaria boasts a striking visual style. The game utilizes "neopixel" graphics, combining the charm of 2D pixel art with 3D environments and dynamic lighting. The result is a world brimming with personality and detail. The soundtrack, composed by Hitoshi Sakimoto, a veteran in the RPG genre, further elevates the experience. The music seamlessly blends with the narrative and gameplay, creating an immersive atmosphere that complements the strategic depth of the combat.

Freemium Model and Future Potential

Sword of Convallaria embraces a freemium model, offering the single-player story campaign entirely free. The demo serves as a perfect example of what players can expect from the free portion of the game. However, an online mode exists with monetization elements, primarily for acquiring additional characters and equipment. While the demo doesn't delve into the online mode, it's crucial to consider its presence for players who might be averse to such systems.

Conclusion: A Promising Start

Our general Sword of Convallaria Demo Review is this: The game presents a compelling and engaging experience for fans of tactical RPGs. Its blend of rich narrative, strategic depth, and charming visuals makes it a title worth checking out. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the genre or a newcomer seeking a strategic and immersive adventure, Sword of Convallaria has something to offer. With its free-to-play model and focus on the single-player experience, the game has the potential to carve its niche within the genre when it launches later in 2024.

Official Sword of Convallaria Social Medias

• Sword of Convallaria Official Website
• Reddit Page (subreddit)
• X (Formerly Twitter) Account
• YouTube Channel
• Discord Community Server

Links to the Game

• Apple App Store
• Google Play Store
• Sword of Convallaria on Steam
• TapTap Mobile Game Store

The post Sword of Convallaria Demo Review: A Deep Dive into Gameplay and Story appeared first on DotGG.

The Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth demo has finally landed on the PlayStation Store, and let me tell you, it's one heck of a ride! It took me around 2 and a half hours to complete without skipping any cutscenes. When it finally came to an end, it left me craving for more and got me super hyped for when my pre-order copy arrives in the mail.

Assuming this demo serves as the starting point of the game, I noticed a note mentioning that players who complete it can skip this part of the story. So, it's not just your typical "demo" but rather a section of the actual game.

The demo even includes an option to view the story so far, which was quite welcome for me since it's been a while since I last played Final Fantasy. After platinum-ing both the main game and Intergrade, I stored my copy and patiently waited for the second installment to arrive. I tried filling the time by playing other Final Fantasy games like Stranger of Paradise, Ever Crisis, and Final Fantasy XVI, but nothing beats the emotional connection and nostalgia I have for Final Fantasy 7.

It holds a special place in my heart as it was the first game I ever bought for my PlayStation One. Playing it brings me back to my childhood when everything was simple, and gaming was the highlight of my day. Nowadays, I still feel that joy, though not quite at the same level as back then – until this demo dropped.

I was over the moon to see my favorite characters again, picking up where they left off at the end of the first game. The section of the game made Cloud recall when he first met Sephiroth. For those familiar with Crisis Core and the OG Final Fantasy 7, SPOILER ALERT it's not actually Cloud's memories but Zack's that he is sharing with the team.

On the Road to Nibelheim

The scene takes place in a vehicle heading towards Nibelheim, where Sephiroth, Cloud (Zack), Soldier 1 (Cloud), Soldier 2, and the driver are present. Cloud checks up on the 1st soldier, who is actually Cloud in the story. We can see his blonde hair under his helmet, and he is clearly struggling, most likely due to motion sickness. He doesn't talk much. If you pay attention, the Cloud here is incredibly talkative and animated, not like the Cloud we all know. His personality matches with Zack perfectly, and I appreciated the nuance the developers designed him with.

Back Home After 2 Years

Upon arriving at Nibelheim, Cloud checks up on various locations like the old water tower, his childhood home, and Tifa's house before heading into the inn to meet up with Sephiroth and progress the story. A particular scene I really enjoyed was when Cloud goes into Tifa's house and peeks inside her closet. The real-life Tifa then calls Cloud an asshole for doing so. Although the game gives you an option not to look inside her closet, I did the opposite because I wanted to know how Tifa would react. It squeezed a laugh out of me, which doesn't usually happen since I like to laugh on the inside most of the time.

You can also play the piano inside Tifa's room; the first piece you get is Tifa's theme, which is actually one of my favorites. I spent a few minutes there before proceeding to the inn.

Upon entering the inn, Cloud meets a buff gentleman who introduces himself as Zangan. I was pleasantly surprised to meet Tifa's teacher. He mentioned that Cloud would make a good martial artist if he bulked up, and I couldn't help but imagine what if Cloud was a brawler instead of a swordsman?

The game added a function to jump over walls and climb over low objects, adding to the freedom of exploring the world. I found a lot of Materia and chests exploring the surroundings. I appreciated the option since the game didn't feel like I was being herded into a specific direction. It was actually fun to go off the beaten path to explore.

Trekking to the Reactor

The group will climb the mountain, and Tifa volunteers to become the tour guide despite the reluctance of her father. Tifa is visibly young here and quite immature. The present Tifa comments that Cloud and her weren't very close despite being neighbors, and Barret comments that it might be because Cloud was weird. The music at the start of the trek up the mountain was marvelous, and I look forward to listening to the official soundtrack when it comes out.

You'll eventually be able to control Sephiroth in battles, and it was a great experience. He is speedy, precise, and has good range with his attacks, a welcome change from Cloud, who mostly has heavy attacks.

The party will cross a bridge, but the bridge will get hit by lightning and get destroyed, causing everyone to fall. One of the soldiers dies (not the soldier Cloud). The soldier Cloud actually saves Tifa at one point, and she thanks him. I love the little nods from the game that that soldier is actually Cloud, who really cared about Tifa.

Materia Boss Fight

Eventually, Cloud and Sephiroth fight a Materia guardian. It was a challenging fight because I forgot how to retarget. The boss can grab one of the party members, and the other one has to hit the limb to free him. I struggled there but eventually managed to vanquish. Afterward, the story progresses, and no more battles ensure as Sephiroth slowly descends into madness following the discovery of Jenova and him being a manufactured creature. I didn't truly understand how Sephiroth turned bad until now. The game showed his descent so masterfully that it made me have sympathy for him.

The demo ends with his iconic scene looking at Cloud with fire in the background while he walks into the fire towards Jenova.

Post Demo Scenes

Players will get an option to view a teaser trailer for the game, and boy, did it hype me up. Cid, Vincent, Cait Sith, and the gang all appear in the trailer, as well as some characters I don't know. I am really excited about the game and am pleased with this well-made demo that they made available for everyone.

Verdict

I give this demo a 10/10. It's definitely a must-play, even if you don't plan on buying the game (yet).

The post Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Demo Review appeared first on DotGG.

Promoted as a "fully realized, complete package" rather than what you expect from games released now to be a live service trying to take all of your cash and time, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, going by the demo released on January 11th/12th on the PS4/PS5, is a very promising game. Important to note, there are no gacha elements whatsoever in this game.

The game features a fully fledged story mode, which the developers noted that it takes around 20 hours to clear, but then more story becomes available, as well as challenging end game bosses. Check out some of the bosses in the game here, it's a visual treat!

This review, based on the demo available for PS4 and PS5, will go over the tidbit of story shown, gameplay, audio, and visuals.

Story

The story sees Gran, newcomer to the franchise Rolan, and the Skyfarer crew come across sudden turbulence while aboard their airship, coming to the realization that this wind is agitating nearby Goblins, causing them to go on a rampage and terrorize nearby locals. Gran and crew come to the rescue, defeating goblins and their captains, while also rescuing the town folk.

After defeating the big boss of the goblin invaders "Greatshield Madbeat", the crew come to the realization that the sudden strong gust of winds is caused by Tempeal's Primal Beast, and upon coming to that conclusion, the story for the demo concludes, leaving you on a nice cliffhanger.

I can't say much as to the overall quality of the story based on this "in the middle of things" demo, this is a very simple story mission, and just a small taste of what there is to come in the full story. There is not enough information for me to give the story a solid opinion yet. I personally think they should have given us the start of the game as a demo, but perhaps they wanted to avoid spoilers, even though the start of the game can be seen on YouTube already!

While I can't say much about the story, even if the story in the final game is not that impressive, where this game truly shines is in it's Gameplay. Originally, Relink was being developed by Platinum Games, but they eventually finished what they were contracted to do, and then the rest of the development was handed off internally to Cygames Osaka.

You can see the Platinum Games DNA all over this game, rather that be from the perfect dodges, air dodges, multiple ways to combo your attacks, launchers, air combos, and extremely flashy effects. However, they managed to make this unique from your standard Platinum Games affair by offering more nuanced combat, many different characters and gameplay styles, extensive character customization, and co-op multiplayer.

While there is still a healthy amount of playable characters in the demo, with there being 10, the full game is set to have 19 characters, will all but Gran and Djeeta offering vastly different playstyles and team roles. Each character has access to a wide variety of weapons, each providing unique passives so that it won't simply be upgrade to the highest attack number. There is also an ability tree for each, giving you the chance to unlock more skills to further customize and make each character your own.

The Sigil is where you'll truly get to build your favorite characters to your liking. Think of Sigils as armor skills or gems in Monster Hunter, where you have a limited number of slots, and depending on the total level of a specific sigil equipped, you get the corresponding enhancement, all the way up to level 45

Also similar to Monster Hunter and perhaps even PSO, is the gameplay structure. The game is NOT open world, but rather a hub based system where you select missions from a board, and then you and your party of AI or online embark on the quest. As far as we know, the story mode is only available with AI companions, but the online, or quest mode, is available with either AI or online companions.

Truly the shining star of the gameplay is the gameplay variety you get from each of the characters, with more to come via free updates throughout the life of the game! For example, Rackam, Helmsman of the airship Grandcypher, uses a long ranged rifle with special bullets to help your team from afar, to Siegfied, a slow, but heavy hitting dragonslayer who wields a greatsword, with the ability to charge, and perform perfect timing attacks to increase his damage output.

Audio

The music is another star point to Relink, with well known composers Nobuo Uematsu from Final Fantasy fame, as well as Tsutomu Narita, who worked on Xenoblade Chronicles X, as well as the fighting game Granblue Fantasy Versus. For just a small taste of the soundtrack, check out the official theme song!

There are confirmed to be a little over 140 songs throughout the game, and from the small amount I've heard in the demo, we're in for a musical treat!

One complaint I have with the audio however, is just the amount of chatter the team constantly quips out during combat. The audio balance here is not the best, with sometimes your teammates blasting your ear out, distorting the music, and sometimes not being able to hear them at all during intense combat moments. I hope this can be addressed during the full game, but if it's not, it's by no means a deal breaker.

The game uses a gorgeous cell shaded anime look for it's characters and environment, while the background gives off a painterly look, giving it a very unique style to stand apart from it's counterparts. The visual effects are extremely well done and very active, albeit a bit visually cluttery at times, but I'm sure it's something we will get used to after hours of playing.

Unfortunately, at least on the PS5 version of the game, the 60 FPS mode is stuck at 1080p, causing the overall image to appear much more blurry. This also strangely effects the user interface as well, making the menus slightly less visually clear. I hope this is addressed, many games offer different resolutions for the game and user interface, that will help the 60 FPS mode look much better.

The 4K mode is locked to 30 FPS, which while some of you may find that suitable, for a fast paced action game that requires precise button presses and dodges, I don't think 30 FPS cuts it.

Check out a comparison between the two modes, as you can see, the 1080P mode is a blemish to an otherwise beautiful game. Luckily, if you plan to play on PC and have a decent rig, this shouldn't be an issue for you. Left is the Quality mode, Right is Performance.

Overall Thoughts

I've been looking forward to Granblue Fantasy: Relink ever since it was first announced many years ago, back when it was simply known as project relink. After being disappointed with Final Fantasy XVI, Relink seems to fill the void of a fun, action RPG with deep mechanics, as well as a wide variety of gameplay. Keep an eye out on this, and the full game releases in less than a month! Especially keep Relink on your radar if you're into grinding a lot for endgame, as well as difficult bosses that can be done either solo with AI, or with friends online!

The post Granblue Fantasy: Relink Demo Review appeared first on DotGG.

Steeped in the same rich universe as its predecessor, Soul Knight Prequel unveils the gripping prelude to the events that transpired in the original game. Prepare to plunge into the enchanting amalgamation of magic and technology within the world of Soul Knight, where imminent perils await at every turn.

Embark on an exhilarating journey into the fantastical realm of Soul Knight Prequel, an action-packed RPG developed by ChillyRoom, slated for its grand launch on November 24th. This highly anticipated sequel continues the gripping narrative of the original Soul Knight, the beloved roguelike shooter that debuted back in 2017. For ardent fans itching to dive in, an early pre-download option has been graciously offered by the developers, providing a tantalizing sneak peek one day ahead. However, it's essential to note that the servers will spring to life only upon the official release day.

Unlike its predecessor, this new iteration zeroes in on Player versus Monster (PvM) gameplay, inviting players to explore a myriad of thematic dungeons accessible through mystical portals. Each labyrinthine domain harbors a formidable final boss, challenging adventurers to emerge victorious and claim well-deserved rewards.

Bolstering its allure, the game boasts a comprehensive customization system empowering players to forge their own heroes. With an extensive arsenal of over 900 items encompassing weapons, armor, accessories, skills, and faithful companions in the form of pets, players can meticulously tailor their characters to match their distinct playstyles and counter diverse adversaries.

Soul Knight Prequel pledges an enthralling fusion of entertainment and challenge for aficionados of action RPGs. Available for pre-download on both the Google Play Store and App Store, the game is poised for its official release on November 24th, promising an immersive gaming experience unlike any other.

About Soul Knight Prequel

Soul Knight Prequel, the second installment in the Soul Knight series, offers an immersive action RPG experience boasting abundant loot, seamless combat, and both single-player and co-op multiplayer modes.

Gameplay Overview

Players choose from seven unique character classes before exploring their hometown, interacting with NPCs, and navigating different regions via a world map. Each region, reminiscent of a dungeon, houses monsters, treasure chests, and formidable bosses. The objective involves conquering areas without facing defeat, allowing respawn in town upon death.

Progression and Customization

Character progression occurs through defeating monsters, distributing stat points, and unlocking skills. Loot plays a crucial role, dropping items suited for specific classes. As regions' monsters level up, better loot becomes available, offering flexibility in focus regions.

Co-op Multiplayer and Controls

An engaging feature is the seamless transition to co-op, enabling online or local Wi-Fi play, enriching the gaming experience. Excellent touch controls and partial controller support further enhance gameplay.

Monetization and Overall Impression

The game's monetization includes a paid battle pass and in-app purchases for cosmetics and gear. However, these purchases aren't necessary for enjoying the game. Soul Knight Prequel stands out as an impressive action RPG, polished and offering a well-paced gaming experience.

Server Issues and Recommendations

Note: While the game faced severe server issues initially, these have been resolved in my region. If such issues persist in your region, consider waiting before diving into the game.

Soul Knight Prequel Review

The Soul Knight Prequel, if connection issues are resolved, offers a well-polished gaming experience. However, it may become repetitive compared to the original Soul Knight. The need to meticulously break rocks across levels to collect items introduces uncertainty about the mechanic's appeal. Despite these nuances, it's a solid game requiring considerable time investment due to item levels and farming requirements.

Personal Insights

Having invested around 29 hours, I've found enjoyment in the game, despite server delays. Here are key considerations for potential players:

1. Repetitiveness: The gameplay loop remains consistent, with additional modes adding value to continued gameplay after story completion.
2. Heavy Grind: Acquiring a proper equipment loadout proved challenging due to difficulty in obtaining boss drops, especially when items cater to different classes.
3. Lengthy Stages: Each stage comprises multiple rooms, and exploration for item drops can extend gameplay significantly.
4. Equipment Levels: Starting a new class can be daunting due to the need to reach item levels for equipping gear.
5. Daily Equipment Chests: Completing daily quests grants keys for chests containing items, aiding in gearing up new characters.
6. Hybrid Class System: Balancing item drops for different classes through a secondary class choice and later class upgrades contribute to optimized gameplay.

Conclusion

In summary, Soul Knight Prequel presents an engaging action RPG experience with a thriving loot system, seamless combat mechanics, and versatile multiplayer modes. Despite initial server issues and potential repetitiveness, the game's polished gameplay, diverse character progression, and co-op functionalities offer an immersive adventure. Whether exploring dungeons solo or embarking on multiplayer quests, the game's depth and customization cater to a diverse range of players, making it a compelling addition to the Soul Knight series.

The post Soul Knight Prequel Review: A Polished Action RPG with a Thriving Loot System appeared first on DotGG.

Developers and Collaboration

Monster Hunter Now is developed by Niantic and Capcom. Niantic is well known as the AR company that created Pokémon GO, while Capcom is the legendary game development company responsible for producing iconic series such as Devil May Cry, Street Fighter, Resident Evil, and of course, Monster Hunter. Both companies collaborated for the first time to bring Monster Hunter into the mobile game space.

Things We Liked About the Game Design

One of the most notable aspects of Monster Hunter Now is its low loading times. This makes the game ideal for short play sessions, as players can quickly jump in and start hunting monsters without having to wait for long load times.

Another positive aspect of the game is its inclusion of a paintball feature. This allows players to mark monsters during walks and engage in battles later when they are more focused. This is a great feature for players who are on the go or who do not have a lot of time to play the game in one sitting.

Monster Hunter Now also features a variety of weapons, armor sets, and a straightforward upgrade system. Players can gather resources from monsters to enhance their equipment, which allows them to progress through the game and take on more challenging monsters.

At first glance, Monster Hunter Now definitely feels familiar to Pokémon GO. The map looks the same because both games are using a gameplay map based on real-life location data. However, Monster Hunter Now adds an element of rotating terrains, where areas of the map can change between a forest, desert, or swamp several times a day. These landscapes determine the kind of monsters you will encounter.

Exploration and Items

Like Pokémon GO, your access to everything on the map is limited to a small radius. However, Monster Hunter Now introduces items that allow you to increase the radius, albeit as premium items. The game provides some for free initially, but you'll need to spend money to buy them later on.

Monster Hunting Mechanics

In Monster Hunter Now, you don't catch monsters; you fight them. There are two main categories of monsters: small and large. Small monsters provide common materials and help build up your special attack gauge. Large monsters are the main focus, requiring strategic combat and knowledge of their weaknesses.

Quests

Monster Hunter Now introduces two types of quests—mainline story quests and optional daily quests. The story questline consists of 13 chapters, unlocking your ability to fight higher-level monsters. This design ensures a gradual progression and prevents boredom for higher-level players.

The Shop

The game introduces a precious in-game currency known as Zenny, obtained through daily quests and killing large monsters. Potions and paintballs are consumable items used for healing and saving large monsters for future hunting.

Group Hunting and Events

Group hunting is a significant aspect of the game, allowing up to four players to team up and take down monsters. Regular events feature certain monsters more often, providing opportunities for unique encounters.

Is Monster Hunter Now the second coming of Pokémon GO?

It is too early to say whether Monster Hunter Now will achieve the same level of popularity as Pokémon GO. However, the game has a number of factors in its favor, such as its strong brand recognition, robust gameplay mechanics, and support for multiplayer cooperation.

It is also worth noting that Monster Hunter Now is a relatively new game, and Niantic has a track record of supporting its games with regular updates and new content. If Niantic continues to invest in Monster Hunter Now, it is possible that the game could become a major success.

Thoughts on the Game

From our experience, Monster Hunter Now is well-designed and offers a true Monster Hunter experience on mobile. However, the game's emphasis on grinding and the restrictive nature of healing items might not appeal to everyone. While the game encourages skill improvement, the limitations on healing items could make the process harder than necessary.

Nevertheless, Monster Hunter Now is a well-designed AR game that offers a satisfying Monster Hunter experience on mobile devices. Its optimized performance (we were really impressed with the non-existent loading time), convenient gameplay, and satisfying crafting system make it a great choice for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike.

Monster Hunter Now is a promising new AR game that offers a unique and satisfying Monster Hunter experience on mobile devices. Its optimized performance, convenient gameplay, and satisfying crafting system make it a great choice for fans of the franchise and newcomers alike. While it is too early to say whether Monster Hunter Now will achieve the same level of popularity as Pokémon GO, the game has a number of factors in its favor and could become a major success if Niantic continues to support it.

The post Monster Hunter Now Review appeared first on DotGG.

Introduction

mo.co is an MMORPG with hack-and-slash gameplay. The game features open world gameplays, resource gathering, raids, dungeons, intense boss fights, and plans for PvP. Players act as Monster Hunters, aiming to hunt and upgrade gear by defeating monsters.

We’re here to let you know what went down during the beta testing and discuss various things about the game like available weapons, outfits, and gameplay mechanics. This game has the potential to be as big as Supercell’s other games. Before going further, we would like to make clear that these are just information available from the beta tests and actual gameplay during launch might differ from the beta designs itself.

Entering the Game

The game is set in a vibrant and stylized world. When you first start the game, you find yourself in a room which is your player's hub. As you progress through the game, new things will be unlocked in this room. After that, you're greeted with a text message from Luna, who is one of the master head hunters in the game.

She wants to see if you have what it takes to become a master head hunter yourself. She gives you a bat and opens a portal to an alternate dimension, and you must venture forth to battle monsters and collect loot.

After passing through the portal, you'll encounter Luna in person. She'll guide you on your very first quest, which involves hunting down some monsters. The controls are remarkably familiar: the movement stick is on the left side, the attack button is on the right, and there's no manual targeting; it simply attacks the closest enemy.

You also have a standard healing gadget and a dash ability, both of which function as expected. Additionally, beneath your health bar is a small bar that fills up over time. Once charged, your weapon will unleash a unique attack, and each weapon's special attack differs.

Blueprint System

The blueprint system is the way you unlock and create your gear in mo.co. After the short tutorial battle, you'll learn all about your very own 3D printer. When you picked up a gear blueprint during battle, you can use it to print off your piece of gear. This printer is also used to upgrade your gear later on and you’ll soon learn that this system is where the complexity of the game will emerge.

In your wardrobe, you'll see that you have slots for three passive and three active gadgets. Of course, some of those slots during early gameplay don't unlock until later.

Gameplay and Design

You go out into the world, where you have contracts to kill certain monsters or complete certain objectives. For doing this, you gain experience as well as all the materials, blueprints, or new clothing drops to stylize your character along the way.

Let’s look into the three first worlds in the game to get a better picture how each level or worlds are designed by Supercell:

As the first world you encounter, Shrine Canyon isn't overly challenging, yet its stunning artwork and immersive environments set the stage for the game's visual splendor. This verdant world harbors a relatively small array of enemies: melee grunts, ranged grenadiers, and the more formidable slashers. Each of these foes drops unique materials essential for your 3D printer. Additionally, each world conceals 10 chests scattered throughout the landscape, yielding 10 crystals, akin to gems in Brawl Stars. These crystals are worth seeking out and collecting in each world.

While also possessing a lush green aesthetic, Overgrown Ruins introduces darker sections and ruins ripe for exploration. The difficulty and complexity of the monsters escalate here. Brace yourself for encounter with jumpers who dash towards you, toxic saplings that bombard you from afar, and the formidable jugglers who unleash a barrage of bombs. Their names are marked with a small icon, providing a subtle warning to prepare adequately.

Forest Barracks, the third world, embraces a darker ambiance while maintaining its captivating charm. You'll marvel at the abundance of forest docks, houses, and even a miniature vehicle parked alongside a castle-like structure. Adding to the mystique, this world introduces an entirely new set of monsters, distinct from the previous two. From the basic little beetles to the heavy splitters and tanky knights, these adversaries demand a different approach. Yet, they also offer unique challenges. The executioner, with its arsenal of attacks, and the alarm bell, summoning reinforcements with each ring, are testaments to Forest Barracks' strategic depth.

The game's world-building is truly remarkable, as each location possesses a distinctive atmosphere and diverse challenges. We really look forward for to dive into more worlds when the official launch drops!

Equipment

We won’t be showcasing ALL the weapons here but we surely will be covering the other weapons in other articles for our readers. Nevertheless, here are some examples of the available equipment during beta.

Equipment are classified into three different types:

• Weapons
• Active gadgets
• Passive gadgets

Weapons

There are a handful of weapons that you can unlock up as you level up. Here are three of the weapons you can unlock early in the game:

Bat

• The bat is a basic weapon that has a wide area of effect swing
• Inflicts a big knockback for its special power
• It's basic but effective

Electro Fists

• The electro fists fire off orbs of energy that bounce between enemies from a distance
• Every 10th shot, it shoots off a massive ball of energy that deals even more damage, stuns, and knocks back enemies
• Its hit rate is faster than the bat, but its damage per hit is lower

Wolf Stick

• The wolf stick is a long-range gun that spawns a big blue wolf when you use its special ability
• The wolf is a very aggressive tank that deals quite a bit of damage and soaks up hits while you stay back firing away
• It isn't the smartest and doesn't seem to avoid damage very well, but it does have a lot of hit points and is the main source of damage with this weapon

Active Gadgets

Here are some examples of active gadgets in the game. Just like the weapons, they get stronger each time you upgrade them in the printer. Each gadget has its own cooldown timer, so you can only use them every so often.

Heal Gadget

• This gadget heals you and everyone around you, whether they are on your team or not
• It also heals your wolf if you're using the wolf stick
• It's a good thing to use when there's a bunch of people clumped up because you can heal everybody

Fireworks in the Box

• Shoot off an enemy-seeking firework that deals solid damage and are good for both single-target and a small amount of area control
• However, it's nothing compared to the area control that is the boom box

Boom Box

• Slams the ground and deals damage to everything in a very large radius as well as stuns them
• The stun doesn't work on boss monsters, but it's really great for swarm control

Monster Taser

• Attacks the nearest enemy and deals big damage to them
• This gadget does single-target damage only

Passive Gadgets

We highlight some early game passive gadgets to give you an idea how and what they do during battles.

Vampire Teeth

• This gadget heals you and your pets for a small amount with every hit
• It only counts the first hit, so the electro fists don't get double healing for the bounce shots
• This gadget works better on faster hit-speed builds than it does on slower ones

Zap in a Box

• Randomly zaps and stuns one enemy in range every 3 seconds
• Does a small amount of damage

Smelly Socks

• The smelly socks deal consistent damage to everyone around you (Just like pudge in DOTA2)
• The damage is low, but it works really well as constant damage against big swarm units

Projects

In addition to jobs, there are also projects that you can complete. Think of these as achievements that grant you a substantial amount of XP upon completion. Once you've finished your daily jobs, you can continue grinding to collect materials, complete projects, and earn XP.

At this level, you'll discover additional items in your room. First, there's a storage chest that allows you to view the materials you've collected. Next, you'll meet Manny, who will introduce you to new items you've unlocked but haven't obtained yet. He'll also assist you in tracking the materials required for upgrades. When you track the materials and venture into the world, you'll notice a star icon next to enemies that drop the items you're looking for.

Shop

The shop resembles a vending machine, and its offerings were limited during beta. It sells Chaos Cubes, which serve as wild card materials to help you complete upgrades if you're short on the specific materials required. Additionally, mo.co Plus is available for purchase. It grants you access to new missions more quickly, increases the number of missions you can receive, boosts material drops by 50%, and makes your player a magnet for drops, reducing the need to chase after them. This is undoubtedly the most effective way to utilize your Gems or crystals.

Conclusion

Are you excited for mo.co? YES, absolutely! Here at DotGG, we will be providing comprehensive coverage of all news, updates, and rumors about the game leading up to its launch. Once the game is released, we will continue to provide you with guides, weapon databases, active gadget information, passive gadget stats, and our team's best character builds. So, stay tuned and bookmark our website to ensure you don't miss out on any future content we create.

We believe mo.co has the potential to be a truly great game, and we're excited to share our insights and expertise with the community. If you're looking for a comprehensive source of information about mo.co, look no further than DotGG.

The post mo.Co Beta Review: Supercell’s New Upcoming MMORPG appeared first on DotGG.

Playing Potion Permit feels like a love letter to the games I grew up with. I was hit back to back with nostalgia between the part-time job system that reminded me of Harvest Moon: Hero of Leaf Valley, an arcade area that brought back memories of Harvest Moon: DS, and even a diagnosis process that oddly felt like a low-stakes version of Trauma Center: Second Opinion. Potion Permit plays as though it took the best parts of these games, combined them all together, and then added new features that made the game feel new.

In the beginning of Potion Permit, you’re dropped off at Moonbury to basically be an old-time doctor, or Chemist. The mayor’s daughter is sick, but the traditional witch doctor can’t help her. After proving your worth and authority to help heal people, the town slowly begins to open up and trust you while you work at fixing the past mistakes of prior Chemists. At the same time, you help build the community and improve the lives of people who originally refused any sort of “modern” medicine. While the story sounds a bit simple, there are several gameplay mechanics that make the game unique and brilliant beyond the obvious things, like taking care of patients with fun minigames or foraging for resources to make medicinal potions.

Right from the start, Potion Permit sets itself apart with a tutorial that puts many triple-A titles to shame. Plus, you’re able to immediately decorate your home. While it might be with some dilapidated furniture, it was an exciting moment nonetheless and one that I’m sure many players will appreciate. I also quickly realized that I could change my character whenever I wanted, letting me have a sense of style in the game that generally doesn’t come until much later. These little things were gradually introduced and started the story in a way that was incredibly well-paced and organic.

Most games of this nature have a calendar system that traces the time you’ve spent in the game while also dictating what kind of natural wildlife and crops you can plant. Potion Permit opts out of that idea and instead just goes by days. At first, this didn’t seem like a big deal at all. However, after playing for multiple in-game weeks, I realized that I didn’t feel pressured to get things done immediately as I do in every other cozy game. Instead of racing a clock that tracks time in seasons and years, I didn’t even know for sure how long I’d lived in Moonbury. Instead of trying to finish a quest in as little time as possible, I was content waiting until the next day because I wasn’t being measured in any real way. I never realized how much I tried to speedrun even the coziest of games until Potion Permit let me slow down.

The environment of the game was helped by the wonderful world-building and character writing. Each character in town feels genuine and being able to progress through their friendship levels and see layers of their personalities felt more realistic than in many other games I’ve played. Even the art was beautiful and busy, making the town feel alive more often than not. Interacting with characters was simple yet effective, and the gift-giving system took off the pressure of trying to find the perfect gift to make people like you – another innovation that took stress away that I never realized existed until it was gone. Plus, the characters have conversations with each other while you walk by, adding to the atmosphere of Moonbury as a bustling little town.

While parts of the environment drew me in, there were other times where Potion Permit struggled. Loading into cutscenes on the Switch would often be jarring, and there were random moments when the game would take a second too long to load and cause the game to freeze for a moment. This didn’t impact gameplay too much, but there were a few times I would get a spike of adrenaline as I realized the freeze might lose me a fish or mess up my perfect record of diagnosing and treating patients. This was on the Switch version of the game, so it may run a bit better on PC or other consoles. The game’s text was also incredibly small when playing docked, and I had to balance the sounds in the game to hear any of the background noises in the game.

Some of the story felt a bit exaggerated as well. When you first get to Moonbury, the entire town hates you to the point of being pretty aggressive in their speech. Even the cat hisses at you until you gain the town’s approval. I expected this to be because of some major problems with the chemists that had previously been in the town, but it felt anticlimactic when I learned the truth about what happened (which I won’t spoil here).

While the game tackled social issues about trusting and helping people, it felt a bit cheesy at times as people were very quick to change their opinion of you. However, some dialogue resulted in great one-liners, such as Mayor Myer’s thought-provoking statement, “If change can make everybody’s life better, who am I to refuse it?”

The few lesser parts of Potion Permit were minor when compared to everything that Potion Permit did right. I never realized some of the smaller issues in the genre until Potion Permit came and fixed them all. Hopefully, Potion Permit’s legacy will last, and it will become another staple of the cozy game genre – it definitely deserves it.

Rating

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