Once you have a good understanding of the industry, the next step is to develop your technical skills. This includes learning programming languages such as Java, C++, or Swift, as well as game development frameworks such as Unity or Unreal Engine. It is also important to have a strong understanding of mobile device hardware and software, as well as user interface design.

In addition to technical skills, mobile game developers must also possess strong creative skills. This includes game design, art and graphics, sound design, and storytelling. A successful mobile game developer must be able to create engaging and immersive experiences for players.

To develop a successful mobile game, it is important to follow a structured development process. This includes ideation, prototyping, testing, and iteration. It is also important to consider monetization strategies, such as in-app purchases or ads, and to create a marketing plan to reach potential players.

Finally, to become a successful mobile game developer, it is important to network and collaborate with other developers, attend industry events, and stay up-to-date on industry news and trends. By staying connected and continuously learning, you can position yourself for success in the dynamic and exciting world of mobile game development.

Introduction to Mobile Game Development

Mobile game development is an exciting and lucrative career option for aspiring game developers. It involves creating and designing games for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Mobile game developers are responsible for the entire development process from concept to launch. This includes designing the game mechanics, programming the game, and testing the game. Mobile game developers must also be familiar with the latest technologies such as augmented reality and virtual reality.

The mobile game industry is constantly evolving, so mobile game developers must stay up to date on the latest trends and technologies. They must also have a good understanding of the different mobile platforms and how to best optimize their games for each platform.

Understanding the Mobile Game Industry

Before embarking on a career as a mobile game developer, it’s crucial to gain an understanding of the industry. The mobile game industry is highly competitive, with a wide range of players ranging from small independent developers to large companies. It’s important to understand the various types of mobile games and players in the industry to identify the most profitable types of games and the best target audience for your game.

In addition, it’s important to have a grasp on the different development platforms and technologies used to create mobile games. There are numerous development platforms available, such as iOS and Android for native development, and Unity and Unreal for cross-platform development. Understanding these platforms and technologies will enable you to create the best game possible.

What it Takes to be a Successful Mobile Game Developer

Being a successful mobile game developer requires a combination of technical and creative skills. It is important to have a strong understanding of programming languages such as C++, Java, and Objective-C. You should also have a good understanding of game design principles, such as level design, game mechanics, and user experience.

In addition, it is important to have a creative mindset and be able to think outside the box. Mobile game developers must be able to come up with innovative ideas for their games and be able to communicate them effectively. It is also important to have good problem-solving skills and be able to work in a team.

Steps to Becoming a Mobile Game Developer

To become a successful mobile game developer, it is crucial to have a blend of technical and creative skills. Firstly, understanding different development platforms and technologies is vital to identify the best platform for your game and optimize it for each platform. Secondly, it is necessary to have a grasp of game design principles and programming languages. Creative thinking is also crucial to come up with unique game ideas.

Developing a prototype is the next step to test game mechanics and gameplay before launching it. Game testing on different platforms ensures optimization for each one.

Finding a publisher or a popular platform such as the Google Play Store or Apple App Store is necessary to launch your game. Promoting your game is the final step, including creating a website and social media accounts to promote the game. Additionally, creating a promotional plan and using online advertising can help you reach your target audience.

Choosing the Right Mobile Game Development Platform

Choosing the right mobile game development platform is an important step in the development process. There are numerous development platforms available, from native platforms such as iOS and Android to cross-platform engines such as Unity and Unreal. It is important to choose the right platform for your game to ensure that it is optimized for each platform.

When choosing a platform, it is important to consider your game’s target audience and the features you want to include. Native platforms such as iOS and Android are often the best choice for games that require a lot of features and graphics. Cross-platform engines such as Unity and Unreal are usually the best choice for games that require less features and graphics.

It is also important to consider the development costs associated with each platform. Native platforms tend to be more expensive than cross-platform engines, but they offer more features and customization options. Cross-platform engines tend to be less expensive, but they offer fewer features and customization options.

Understanding the Mobile Game Development Process

The process of mobile game development can be complex and involves several stages. The first stage is the concept, where the idea for the game is developed and refined, including the game mechanics, storyline, art style, music, and sound effects. The next stage is the design, where the game mechanics are implemented, and the game levels, enemies, and user interface are created. The third stage is the development, where the game’s code is written, and the game is optimized for different devices. Finally, the game is launched and marketed to the target audience, including the creation of a website and social media accounts, as well as online advertising. Understanding the mobile game development process is crucial for success in this rapidly growing industry.

Creating a Successful Mobile Game

Creating a successful mobile game is not easy, but it is possible. Here are some tips and tricks for creating a successful mobile game.

The first tip is to create a unique and engaging game. It is important to come up with an innovative idea and create a game that is unlike any other. This will help your game stand out in a crowded market.

The second tip is to focus on the user experience. Make sure that the game is easy to use and fun to play. This includes optimizing the game for different devices and making sure that the game’s controls are intuitive.

The third tip is to focus on the game’s visuals. It is important to create high-quality graphics and animations to make the game more enjoyable.

The fourth tip is to make sure the game is balanced. It is important to create levels that are challenging but not too difficult. This will ensure that players stay engaged and come back for more.

The fifth tip is to create a marketing plan. It is important to create a website and social media accounts to promote your game. It is also important to use online advertising to reach the target audience.

Tips and Tricks for Successful Mobile Game Development

Developing a successful mobile game requires a combination of technical and creative skills. Here are some tips and tricks to help you become a successful mobile game developer:

Stay up to date on the latest trends and technologies in the industry to ensure that your games are optimized for the latest platforms and devices.

Focus on the user experience. Make sure that your game is easy to use and enjoyable to play. This includes optimizing the game for different devices and ensuring that the game’s controls are intuitive.

Create a prototype before launching the game. This will help you to test the game mechanics and gameplay before launching it. It is also important to test the game on different platforms to ensure that it is optimized for each platform.

Find a publisher or platform to launch your game. This can be done by finding a publisher that specializes in mobile games or by launching your game on a popular platform such as the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Market and promote your game. This includes creating a website and social media accounts to promote your game. It is also important to create a promotional plan and use online advertising to reach your target audience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Developing a Mobile Game

Developing a successful mobile game requires a combination of technical and creative skills, as well as avoiding common mistakes. Some of the common mistakes mobile game developers should avoid include not testing the game on different platforms, not creating a prototype, not having a marketing plan, not focusing on user experience, and not creating a unique and engaging game. It is important to test the game on different devices and platforms, create a prototype to test the game mechanics and gameplay, have a marketing plan to promote the game, focus on user experience by optimizing the game for different devices and ensuring intuitive controls, and create a unique and innovative game idea to stand out in a competitive market. By avoiding these mistakes and following best practices, mobile game developers can increase their chances of success in the industry.

What Resources are Available to Help Mobile Game Developers?

There are numerous resources available to help mobile game developers become successful. These include books, websites, tutorials, and forums.

Books are a great resource for learning about mobile game development. There are numerous books available that cover everything from game design and programming to marketing and monetization.

Websites and tutorials are also a great resource for learning about mobile game development. Many websites and tutorials offer step-by-step instructions on how to develop a successful mobile game.

Forums are another great resource for learning about mobile game development. There are numerous forums where mobile game developers can ask questions and get feedback from experienced developers.

Finally, there are numerous online courses available to help mobile game developers become successful. These courses offer in-depth instruction on game design, programming, and marketing.

Conclusion

Becoming a successful mobile game developer requires a combination of technical and creative skills. It is important to understand the industry and have a good grasp of the different development platforms and technologies. Additionally, creating a unique and engaging game, focusing on the user experience, developing a marketing plan, and utilizing the right resources are all crucial components to success. With the right skills and resources, anyone can tap into their potential as a mobile game developer and create a successful game.

If you’re interested in becoming a mobile game developer, be sure to keep these tips in mind. With the right skills and resources, you can unlock your potential and develop a successful game. For more information on how to become a mobile game developer, click here!

The post Unlock Your Potential as a Mobile Game Developer: How to Become a Successful Mobile Game Developer appeared first on 2oo-Jam.

The Growth of Esports in Australia

The growth of Esports in Australia can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the rise of technology and internet accessibility has made it easier for people to connect and play games online. This has led to the creation of more gaming communities and the rise of online gaming tournaments.

Secondly, the pandemic has played a significant role in the growth of Esports in Australia. With restrictions on physical activities and events, many people turned to online gaming as a way to stay connected and entertained. This has led to a surge in the number of people playing and watching Esports tournaments.

According to a report by Newzoo, a market intelligence firm, the global esports industry is expected to generate revenues of $1.08 billion in 2021. Australia, being a part of this global industry, is also expected to experience a growth in revenue generated from Esports.

Popular Esports Games in Australia

Several games have gained popularity in the Esports scene in Australia. The most popular games include:

League of Legends – A multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, where players form teams and battle against each other in a virtual arena.

Fortnite – A battle royale game, where players fight to be the last person or team standing.

Overwatch – A team-based first-person shooter game, where players select different characters with unique abilities to compete against each other.

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) – A first-person shooter game, where players form teams to eliminate the opposing team.

Dota 2 – Another MOBA game, where players form teams and battle against each other in a virtual arena.

These games have gained a significant following in Australia, with millions of players and fans tuning in to watch major tournaments and leagues.

The Role of Organizations in Supporting Esports in Australia

Several organizations have played a significant role in supporting Esports in Australia. These organizations include:

The Australian Esports Association (AESA) – The AESA is a non-profit organization that aims to promote and develop the Esports industry in Australia. They provide support to players, teams, and organizations, as well as work to establish a recognized national governing body for Esports in Australia.

Gfinity Esports Australia – Gfinity is a professional esports league that operates in Australia. They host several tournaments and leagues for popular games, including CS:GO, Rocket League, and Street Fighter V.

The Australian Cyber League (ACL) – The ACL is one of Australia’s oldest esports organizations, founded in 2003. They host several tournaments and leagues for popular games, including Dota 2, Overwatch, and Rainbow Six Siege.

The Oceanic Pro League (OPL) – The OPL is a professional league for League of Legends in Australia and New Zealand. It is run by Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends.

Esports Betting in Australia

As Esports continues to gain popularity in Australia, so does Esports betting. Esports betting involves placing bets on the outcome of Esports tournaments and leagues. It is a growing industry that is attracting a lot of attention from both fans and investors.

The Legal Status of Esports Betting in Australia

In Australia, Esports betting is legal and regulated by the government. The Interactive Gambling Act of 2001 regulates all forms of online gambling, including Esports betting. However, the act prohibits any form of online in-play betting, meaning that bets must be placed before the start of the event. This is to prevent the possibility of match-fixing or any other unethical practices.

The Future of Esports Betting in Australia

As Esports continues to grow in Australia, so does the Esports betting industry. With the rise of online gaming and streaming platforms, more and more people are taking an interest in Esports, making it a potential billion-dollar industry in the coming years. The Esports betting industry is expected to grow alongside the Esports industry, as more fans become interested in placing bets on their favorite teams and players.

However, it is important to note that there are concerns regarding the potential risks associated with Esports betting. As with any form of gambling, there is a risk of addiction and financial loss. There are also concerns regarding the potential for match-fixing and other unethical practices within the industry.

The post The Rise of Esports in Australia: A Look into the Growing Industry appeared first on 2oo-Jam.

Unquestionably, one creative aspect that has helped CSGO events’ survival is the fact that they are successful in both the esports and betting worlds. The Valve development came out on top with a $14.75 million total prize fund in 2020. With a $6 million lower prize fund, Dota 2 came in second. The game’s popularity in the cutthroat gaming industry has led to the availability of a wide range of betting choices, enabling the community to interact in more engaging ways.

Esports are becoming resemble traditional sports as more CSGO players form connections with top CSGO teams. As a result, there are currently several CSGO-related markets that may be backed. New prospects, for instance, surrounding upcoming CSGO shooter events like the IEM Katowice and Snow Sweet Snow.

Some Stats About People Play in CSGO

The number of CS:GO gamers reached its high in July 2022, according to statistics gathered from Steam charts, with 901,107. The first-person shooter has added more players than 13,000 in total during its most recent break in March, April, and June, when it was unable to overtake competitor Valorant.

Although average CSGO match attendance is unclear, reliable tracker active players predict that by 2022, the game will have an average of 35 million pro players each month. With over 70,000 people joining up for their steam accounts in only one month, CS:GO had the biggest rise in the number of unique players. This agreement will help CSGO achieve one million gamers soon.

Reasons Why CSGO isn’t Coming Out on Consoles

CSGO was first released on the PS3 and Xbox 360 as well, but perhaps a lot of people are unaware of this. Valve did provide CSGO on both systems back in 2012. The CSGO creators had high expectations for the console version of the game, but they stopped providing support for it less than a year later. The company has never publicly stated the reason why CSGO was shelved as a console product.

The game quickly gained notoriety while also drawing in a sizable number of new PC players. CSGO was able to collect thousands of players over the course of the following eight years, making it one of the most popular PC games. Many CSGO players believe that the game would become even more well-known if it were made accessible on the newest consoles, such as the PS5 and Xbox Series X.

The fact that Valve never commonly released updates for Team Fortress 2 and Portal 2, with the latter game’s PS3 version of the latter not receiving even a single patch update, proves that the rumors that it was incredibly difficult to update the console versions of the game were unfounded.

Another persistent rumor contends that Valve was obligated to pay Sony and Microsoft a certain fee each time they made an update for the device. This is predicated on the discovery that a large number of additional Valve free-to-play PC titles were console purchases made for a considerable fee.

If CSGO Came Out On Consoles, It Would Bring Many Players

Over 750,000 players would likely still be playing CSGO matches continuously if it were released on platforms. Unfortunately, it’s challenging to determine how many different players really log into CSGO daily. Valve does not officially disclose these types of data, and services like Steam Charts that track player numbers for Steam games do not compile data like unique users.

Conclusion 

Console gaming has grown significantly over the years, with some competitive shooters aggressively porting their titles to the platform in an effort to draw in more players. CSGO competitions have a significant player base and are one of Valve Corporation’s most played games. We simply need to point you that the game frequently conducts huge tournaments with tens of thousands of fans. According to CSGO news, 2.74 million people watched the PGL Major Stockholm 2021.

It’s challenging to say because the developers have never given any indications that a console version might be forthcoming. The ongoing growth of the global console gaming market, however, may be the cause of this change. We have strong expectations that Valve will one day please its fans, even though we might never see a CSGO console version. Currently, only the PC platform—which is still fairly popular among gamers—can be used to play the game.

The post Why isn’t CSGO coming out on consoles? appeared first on 2oo-Jam.

The Eternal Cylinder’s gameplay sees you and your band of Trebhum rolling from point to point, eating and drinking to survive, and overall discovering the world around you. Each new area the cylinder pushes you toward contains new challenges and biomes. Some of these biomes require you to grow extra long legs to jump to a higher surface, grow wooly fur to survive the cold, or even become as light as a balloon to float across large gaps. Boasting a whopping 50+ mutations available for your squishy little elephants, you are left free to assemble a team however you see fit and tackle whatever obstacle is in your way. In doing this, you will discover the history of your species, and the world as a whole, by meeting elders and exploring ruins of Trebhums long gone.

Of course, once a biome is explored and you cross the bounds to a new area an intense chase will begin with the titular cylinder demolishing everything you had just explored. These chase sequences are anxiety inducing as the once calm mood shifts to an all out race to the next tower that can stop the cylinder from plowing forward. These chases make fantastic use of swelling chaotic music paired with the growing thunder of the cylinder demolishing everything right on your tail. This makes finding the quickest route to escape the eternal cylinder’s wrath a heart racing event.

As if a world decimating cylinder across the horizon wasn’t a harsh enough adversary, your Trebhum will also meet tough battles with the servants of the cylinder. These are horrific creations that have adapted to drain your trebhum of mutations and pick them apart at their weakest. They often appear to be horrific men meshed with machines, all led by the mysterious, monstrous mathematician; a giant creature that is the driving power of the cylinder. 

Unfortunately, through these battles you may lose some trebhum along the way. It’s a dangerous world after all. You will often need to hatch more or recruit them into your fold by offering certain items and requirements. Once a trebhum is a part of your family, they can never truly be gone. Certain points in the game allow you to recall fallen Trebhum and even hold them for later use. This method of resurrecting fallen members is incredibly useful as you will quickly find out, it’s easy to lose the little guys. 

Whether it be experimenting with puzzle solutions, finding the right mutations, getting squashed by a cylinder chase, or simply mistiming a jump. The platforming can be a little on the floaty side which can make some challenges unintentionally more difficult than needed. For example, navigating a lava filled cavern can be a nightmare when you’re having trouble nailing jumps with your little Trebhum often paying the price. While this may seem infuriating, The Eternal Cylinder is surprisingly very forgiving in respawns, autosaves, and difficulty sliders. 

This design premise of forgiveness is at odds with the main enemy of the game, that it is easy to think the game won’t have your back when you fail. What I mean by this is that in the very beginning you are alone, left to run and figure things out for yourself. You can quickly draw conclusions that this game is going to be tough as nails and way too unforgiving to have the freedom to really explore, but what you discover is that at every turn the game lends a helping hand. The narrator throughout the game is always quick to give out a tip, the mechanics of the game make it feel like when you do hit a setback it never takes too much away. The Eternal Cylinder does an amazing job at making you both feel completely alone yet also free to independently do what you feel is best. 

The Eternal Cylinder is a beautiful game of exploration and defying all odds to carve out your own place in a world that seemingly wants you gone. The game both lets you explore how you feel is best, but provides a great safety net to catch you if something goes awry. This leaves you to experience the story at your pace and take in the beauty of the strange alien world. While the end goal can begin to feel a bit tedious to reach towards the latter parts of the game, it’s still a game that benefits from having a curious mind to explore.

The post The Eternal Cylinder (PS4) appeared first on 2oo-Jam.

Klang 2 is a psychedelic rhythm game that builds a neon Greece inspired world around the beats of synthwave dance music. The world is vibrant and mysterious, relaying the story of the titular Klang in his quest for revenge against the soundlord Sonus. Klang 2 employs a very minimalist art style with striking primary colors, making it easier to quickly and intuitively pick up and run with the controls. Within a few songs you grasp how the game is played and the difficulty just ramps up from there. 

Each song is it’s own level, tasking Klang with using his tuneblade to attack to the beat of the music. You gather tokens in the arcade area, playing for a high score and grade on various tracks, then cash in your tokens for a boss battle that progresses the story and unlocks more tracks to play.

In broad strokes, there are 3 moves Klang uses: tap, swipe, and hold. However, when playing with a gamepad you need to aim your attacks with the left stick as Klang dashes around the screen. The screen will shake and rumble as Klang jumps, attacks, or takes a hit. All of this occurs while the screen is blazing full of neon lights and jittery movement. This adds another level of difficulty as the strobing screen during the faster tempo songs can make it tough to know your orientation and where to aim. 

In addition to the difficulty in tempo changes and adjusting to laser light shows, Klang’s enemies will vary depending on the song selection. Each enemy has a type of attack and defense that will change the attacks needed to defeat them. For example, some enemies will require a flurry of quick taps while others follow patterns and need to be hit with combos accordingly. 

Most importantly, the music is appropriately funky. With contributions from artists like bLiNd, Arcien, and City Girl, all 30 tracks feel distinct and provide a unique vibe that the gameplay flows into. That flow is vital to how well the game works as Klang 2 is one of the only rhythm games I have played that I could lose myself in and truly control by feeling the beat. Conversely however, if I found myself second guessing an input or hesitating I would get smacked by several attacks and immediately fail the level. It’s so dangerous to break your funky flow, it’s like taking a step out of your boat while whitewater rafting, you’ll be washed out instantly. 

All of these factors compile to make the later levels of Klang 2 an incredibly difficult experience. I am by no means an expert in the genre, I barely have any rhythm at all, so I was struggling mightily in the later half of the game. This is when I found out that there are no difficulty options or sliders in Klang 2 other than to make the tempo faster. So you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, being tasked to finally develop a sense of rhythm good enough to carry you through some pretty hectic fights. 

Despite this challenge and the many, many frustrating times I had to restart a level after fighting through the majority of the song, when everything clicked together it felt amazing. It was like my hands were making moves before I could think; I felt so effortlessly cool battling pirates and ghosts as EDM thumped in my headphones. Klang 2 is probably the closest I will ever get in my life to recreating the Daft Punk fight scene from Tron: Legacy and I mean that as the most sincere form of flattery. 

Klang 2 definitely has the ability to make you feel a real intense sense of rhythm and flow, it also can make you feel like an uncoordinated mess that couldn’t carry a beat to save your life. The lack of difficulty options tosses you into sink or swim mode and can trigger a lot of frustration. This compounded with the way that the screen strobes in more quick paced battles can give you sensory overload and really break your immersion, in turn ending your run before you can finish the song. If you are persistent enough and give yourself over to the rhythm, Klang 2 is a pure experience that just feels satisfying to make work.

The post Klang 2 (X1) appeared first on 2oo-Jam.

Touted as a different kind of platformer, you take control of Hoppus, an apprentice wizard, who somehow changes himself into a square block with one leg on each of his four sides. What makes Hoplegs unique and unconventional is that you don’t necessarily control Hoppus with orthodox controls. Rather, you control him using the game buttons (one button is specific to one side) that push out Hoppus’s leg to make him jump. From there, you must rely on physics and chaos in order to move around.

The control scheme is what makes this game frustrating. There’s no strategy to do such a basic function such as moving towards the goal. Often, you’re button mashing just to get some trivial progress through the level; most often than not, you’re set back by going backward, because of an unnecessary button press that you thought was a good idea. Couple that with plenty of obstacles, (Because why not?) and you have the recipe for disaster…or anger.

I could see skilled gamers getting good at Hoplegs, but it’s a game of patience. A ton of it. By the third level in the story mode, the game expects you to do some tricky jumps where you do have to rely on physics and a lot of Baby Jesus luck in order to pass an obstacle. It could be impressive for a speedrunner to complete a level (and even the game) in mere seconds.

That is where I would say that those who will love Hoplegs will be the ones who will be dedicated to perfecting their craft in getting Hoppus through these levels. There’s even a cooperative mode where you can play these insane levels with a friend or two (or three). I heard through the grapevine too, that the PC version has an extra feature where you can create and share your own levels (à la Mario Maker).

However, I must say that I cannot recommend this game for most. It’s just too frustrating, and better off watched via a Twitch stream of YouTube videos.

The post Hoplegs (Switch) appeared first on 2oo-Jam.

Let’s just get this out of the way…

Before you can really get into the game, Dying Light 2: Stay Human asks you to invest in a story-based tutorial that takes a couple hours to get through. It’s helpful to learn the controls and get a feel for the challenges that await, but it’s asking a lot for you to stick around with some less than stellar narrative points. Our protagonist, Aiden, has recurring flashbacks to his childhood that are played out in PS2/3-era looking graphics. Not sure if this was the intent of the developers, but this aesthetic mixed with the suspect voice-acting and overall narrative have me looking forward to the end of each flashback cutscene. Here we learn of his quest to find his long-lost sister, Mia, and also seek some revenge on Waltz; the jerk that’s responsible for it (and a whole host of other things.)

Eventually, you’ll make it out of the tutorial story prologue and be given access to the city of Villedor, a European city well on its way to ruin and infested with zombies. As with any nightmare, people have survived and could really use your help. Some of which may, in turn, lead you to find Waltz and uncover the whereabouts of your sister. Of course, where there are people, there are factions that disagree with each other, and that’s exactly what you’ll have to deal with in Dying Light 2: Stay Human. The Survivors are the salt of the Earth faction of Villedor just trying to get by, and the Peacekeepers are a faction of patrolmen who think they own the city. You’ll find yourself quickly swept up in their issues as you progress in your quest.

In Dying Light 2: Stay Human, the story definitely isn’t where this game shines. It’s the action. It’s the parkour tour around Villedor (that rhymes!). It’s the adrenaline-pumped kick fights on the rooftops or in dark corridors. But the game takes its sweet time in getting you competent in handling both of these things, which is frustrating. It’s throwing Zelda-like ability and progression checks, along with slow XP improvements, at you when it should be really opening things up. If this title had started about 5-10 hours in with a 5-10 minute cutscene at the beginning to set the stage for why Aiden was in Villedor, I think this game would become a better version of itself immediately.

Kicking enemies off a roof simulator

Once you gain some solid parkour/combat abilities and get some decent gear on you, the fun really begins. You’ll be grappling through the city, confident in your skills to traverse distances and kick some zombie butts, (off rooftops). Sadly, the time and effort paid to get to that point wasn’t worth it to me in retrospect. Don’t get me wrong, I love progression and earning my abilities, but when the true fun of the game is tied to skills that you must progress towards, I think the devs should reconsider their approach.

Okay, enough negativity. Once I wasn’t getting my butt kicked or falling to my death from running out of stamina at the wrong time, I started having a lot of fun with Dying Light 2. Parkour combat relies on a lot of kicking, vaulting, and landing feet first on your opponents in an extremely satisfying manner. There are a couple of solid kicking abilities at your, (eventual,) disposal that will have you launching enemies off rooftops and escaping claustrophobic battles with ease. There are also various weapons, including axes, maces, throwing knives, and bows that you’ll find around Villedor. These offer different damage types and ranges and some can be upgraded with helpful enhancements, such as offering helpful stamina regeneration buffs, or imbuing your weapon with fire damage which zombie “no likey.” These items can’t be repaired though, so durability is important when thinking about your weapon loadout. Eventually, you’ll be swimming in new weapons so you probably won’t miss the last one when it breaks, but if you grow attached to one specific weapon, you’ll have to say bye to it eventually! There are also explosives at your disposal like mines and grenades, as well as one-time-use weapons that can really bail you out in a tough fight.

The parkour abilities you gain in Dying Light 2 will aid not only your combat but your ability to traverse Villedor efficiently. You’ll wish you had a lot of these skills upfront but once you are able to bounce back up immediately from a landing or slide through rubble while outrunning a hoard of enemies, you’ll be glad for everything you’ve learned. You’ll also get items to help you like a grappling hook and paraglider that will make traveling easy. These item and ability upgrades really help at night when Villedor becomes much more dangerous and challenging. The added challenge does come with boosted XP and loot, so you can weigh your daytime and nighttime risk: benefit ratio accordingly.

Shape the city and the narrative as needed

Another large aspect outside of the main quest is control points. Solving the puzzles usually results in equipping a building with a much-needed city resource, but you’ll need to decide who gets control of it. Remember the Survivors and Peacekeepers? They both want it, but you get to decide on who gets it. Your decision impacts play around the city quite a bit. Handing a building over to the Survivors will increase parkour features on the map, making your traversal easier. Handing it over to the Peacekeepers will net you more offensive features like turrets and traps for use against your enemies. So, depending on what you really need to happen around the city to make life easier for you, here are the opportunities to shape it in your favor.

Okay, I have to get back to the story here. I know I’m pretty down on it in general but there are some redeeming characters, moments, and some missions in Dying Light 2: Stay Human that help balance it towards decent. The lengthy cutscenes associated with them? Not so much. There are other expected story elements in play, like story missions where you’ll have to make decisions and take sides between the factions. If you are into the roleplaying aspect, then these are the decisions that will help Aiden feel more impactful in Villedor. These decisions will help balance out the lack of impact you might feel by turning over control points in favor of gameplay enhancements.

The post Dying Light 2: Stay Human (PS5) appeared first on 2oo-Jam.

Maglam Lord is a Japanese title that is as much virtual novel as it is an action RPG. As a word of warning, it’s also entirely in Japanese with English subtitles. Personally, I don’t have any issues with this sort of thing in a game but if I was watching a movie I’d find subs distracting. I am obviously not everyone so if you’re the sort of player that prefers things in English, (or whatever language you speak,) or not at all you might get frustrated here. This doesn’t detract from the actual game but it’s still worth mentioning.

So, to give you a very tiny amount of plot, Maglam Lord will see you taking the role of the Demon Lord Killizerk, also known as the Bladelord, who was defeated in battle. Hundreds of years have passed since your loss and you wake up in the modern-day with only a vague memory of what happened to you. You quickly find that you’re not only an ancient demon but you’re also a relic. Fortunately, (or unfortunately for you depending on how you look at it,) being one of the last of anything makes you an endangered species and gives you protected status. This makes you part celebrity, part walking museum exhibition, and as with anything else that’s endangered you’re being “handled,” by the Administration. These are also one of the sources of your missions. You might be the last of your kind but the rampaging mutabeasts running about the place definitely aren’t the last of theirs. So to recap, you’re a relic stuck out of time with about as much self-autonomy as a fence post. So what’s a Maglam? Nothing to do with any of this, I’ll get there in a minute.

You choose how the story plays out

Maglams are a type of magical weapon. They can take the form of anything sharp and pointy but all of them have the power to kill gods and demons. With these opposing factions being the ultimate powers they can’t harm each other without breaking important celestial laws, therefore, in the hands of a member of one of these factions, a Maglam blade would be useless. This is where heroes come in. Heros are humans that are able to wield the blades and therefore kill very powerful entities. You don’t fit this narrative and this makes you really dangerous. As I’ve mentioned you are the Bladelord and the only demon lord in existence to be able to wield a Maglam to its full capability. On top of this, you have the power to become one. You can take the form of any blade that’s been forged and this is why you were put down in the first place, you were simply too dangerous to exist. That’s all history so no spoilers there. You can find out what happens to you by playing the game.

This is the sort of game that feels a little bit like a choose your own adventure. There is an awful lot of conversation going on and how you respond to the varying characters in the game will affect how the story continues. Personally, I don’t have an issue with this because I like a lot of unfolding plot in my games. If you’re the sort of gamer that skips through dialogue just to get to the juicy bits, you’re going to get very bored very quickly. The story is very much the heart and soul of the game. If you aren’t much of a reader or find large amounts of text tedious you might not have a massive amount of fun here. Of course, if you’re like me and really love to get into a character and follow a story in detail as it flows around you, you’re really going to enjoy this style of play. It helps that the narrative is funny and well written and the characters are different enough from each other to make them really stand out. I mean, you’re acquainted with a demon with a whole mini-dimension in his mouth. What’s not to love about that?!

Weapon crafting is at the heart of the game

Graphically Maglam Lord is great. The art style, as with many things in the gaming strata is very subjective, so let me preface this. Graphically Maglam Lord is great if you like that very colorful Anime-Esque flair that comes with a lot of Japanese offerings. Personally, I do. The more story-driven elements are bright, fun, and very well drawn out so no complaints here. It sort of feels like you’re playing through a comic book which, for me at least, is absolutely no complaint. Combat, (I’ll come to this in a moment,) has quite an arcady feel to it. It’s a side-scrolling hack and slash and feels quite retro but, again, this is an aesthetic that I’m really quite fond of because it brings back loads of happy memories.

The other half of Maglam Lord sees you and your allies completing missions. There are lots of nasties roaming about the world that need putting down. Killing powerful monsters also helps Kilizerk regain their strength more quickly. They are still powerful but after all that time being unconscious they are only a shadow of what they once were. I can’t really go any further without spoilers but there’s a definite point to you doing what you’re doing. Having your own agenda fleshes you out as a character and adds more layers to the story so this is great.

You will spend quite a bit of time roaming around the game world killing monsters of varying types. In true RPG fashion, there is a certain amount of grind but any good RPG fan will tell you that a bit of repetition goes a long way to not getting absolutely slaughtered later in the game. As I mentioned before, battles have a side-scrolling arcade action feel to them. The controls are simple and it all feels very fluid. Combat is enjoyable and really easy to learn. The only thing that takes a bit of getting used to is the need to switch weapons mid-battle. This isn’t a case of picking your favorite thing and going for it. You actually have to think about what you’re doing. You have three weapons on the go at all times. You’ll have a sword, an axe, and a spear. Each weapon type does greater damage to a particular enemy type. Don’t expect to only face one type of enemy per battle, you’ll have to think tactically. You need to be aware that just because you’re absolutely smashing one type of enemy, you’re only tickling his mates. I actually really like this but it was unusual when I first encountered it.

One of my favorite things about Maglam Lord is the way you acquire weapons. Put very simply, you don’t. You’ll have to farm ingredients from the world and then forge new weapons based on what you have. Weapons are graded. The higher the grade, the more ingredients it’s going to use in its creation. You want to keep making blades, not for the fact that they are necessarily more powerful than each other, (though an SS rank weapon will obviously be stronger than an A rank one,) but for what they can do. Each weapon has different base attributes. They might hit harder, or cause certain status defects. The more weapons you have at your disposal the more choice you have on the field. I really like the idea of having a lot of useful things that you can choose from, as opposed to running through big chunks of the game with one weapon because you like it until the next one you like incrementally better comes along.

All in all, I’m becoming really rather fond of Maglam Lord. This isn’t a combination of gaming styles that I’m hugely familiar with but in this particular case, everything has been woven into something that keeps you coming back for more. It’s well thought out and I really don’t have too many complaints. If you don’t like heavy narrative steer clear from this one and the combat can feel a bit button bashy. Saying this, I don’t see that as a negative necessarily. It’s actually quite nice to see a bit of simplicity for a change. Those of you that like racking up big combos can still do that, it just feels a bit more rough and ready than some other titles that go for finesse.  Maglam Lord is a solid title that’s a lot of fun and one that I think could be relatively easy to skip over. I played out of curiosity and I’m very glad that I did. Now I also know what a Maglam is, so there’s that, too. 

The post Maglam Lord (PS4) appeared first on 2oo-Jam.