Hidden Gems Part 3

Uh oh, the sale ended. Well, I've purchased all these games now, so better carry on regardless.

GRASS CUTTER, MUTATED LAWNS

Finally a game about one of the more mundane chores (that said, all chores are rather mundane), mowing the lawn. I do not have Pac Man fever, don't get the big deal and that is clearly an inspiration for this game. You have to go around a garden cutting the grass, avoiding enemies and traps, though unfortunately you can't eat any ghosts. There's a variety of different lawnmowers you can unlock which have different special moves for which you get the coins to unlock them quickly so can gather up the different vehicle types quickly. The problem is that I am so bad at this, coupled with me not enjoying this genre of game anyway means I won't be amongst the 75% of players that got the platinum trophy. It seems harsh to give this a bad score as I can see how it might be enjoyable, but if, like me, you're not a fan of Pac Man (i'm sure others exist) style games, avoid this like the plague. 3/10

CONCRETE GENIE

Back to the AA games then and this was a Playstation second party exclusive released late last year to little fanfare. I wasn't interested at the time as it looked like a pretty average kind of game but there I went and bought it anyway. So, you're some street artist (but the non criminal type) called Ash (Piantem) who has to paint walls to make friendly Genies appear who help traverse the areas, unfortunately these genies neither grant wishes not perform Robin Williams impersonations. The areas are blocked by light puzzles and a group of bullies who take away your magic paintbrush and throw you in a skip. The auto setting for the game is to use motion sensitive controls (thanks a bunch Nintendo), but fortunately you can turn that garbage off and use the right stick as soon as the tutorial is over and move it to the right stick, however you can't invert the Y axis on the painting even though you can with the regular camera. What is with the bullying of the inverted users going on (mind you, people who invert the X axis are clearly evil)? After you get through 2/3 of the game, the bullies put some black stuff all over your walls, which turns the genies evil, thus starts a rescue mission to save the bullies (if it were me, I'd have just left them all to die). The game then switches to become a third person action game (who would have seen that coming from a Playstation exclusive), where you skate around and attack the evil genies to turn them good again, and save the bullies (gotta save 'em all). After about an hour of the complete shift it game, it ends, the bullies now like you because you saved them of course (they never had a friend like Ash), thus proving the only way to stop a child being bullied is to wait until they're in mortal danger, then save their lives. It's a weird game and kind of short (thankfully). At least the developers (pixelopus) tried something new but didn't really commit as it ended in more standard fair. It's an acceptable game at a reduced price. 6/10

ONE NIGHT STAND

This is one of those choose your own adventure type games. Waking up next to a girl in a bed, with a mega handover and a bad case of the forgotten evening (sounds familiar (except the waking up next to a girl part)), the objective is to figure out what happened. The game is only a few minutes long and requires multiple playthroughs to get all 9 endings, some good, some bad. It deserves multiple playthroughs too, there is plenty to learn about this mysterious girl and it's an interesting concept. Of course, if like me, and you like platinum trophies you'll end up ruining it after the game has largely played out, by then consulting a trophy guide and having to play it over again several times to get the exact required outcomes. That is my fault though, and not that of the game (that said, over half the players have the platinum so maybe it was to be expected (though I think this was a mobile game first so maybe not)). Anyway, it's a quick and interesting game as you try to get close to her, as long as you don't overstay your welcome (and she kicks you out after trying to smuggle out her panties). 7/10

CONCEPT DESTRUCTION

Do you like Micro Machines? Do you like Destruction Derby (the game, not the redneck hick passtime). Do you like cars made out of cardboard that look like they were designed by a person with no fingers, holding a pen between their stubs? If you said yes to all 3 then stop the presses right now. So, it's a quick, easily approachable racer. Like flatout 4 you drive around bashing in to other cars in races and derby events (last one standing wins the prize), so, simple really. The game is extraordinarily easy as the opposition don't put up much of a challenge and again comes with an easy platinum (if someone looked at my trophy list with all these cheap Platinum trophies they'd think I'm a total loser with no life (oh, wait...)). This game is fine for a couple of squid and indeed it's also fine for the couple of hours it lasts (it has multiplayer but good luck trying to convince anyone to play this with), I don't hate it, the price should tell you all that's needed, it's £4 at full price now the sale has ended, which is a pretty spot on price for it. Better recommendations here would be Wreckfest, Table Top Racing or indeed, Fl4tout, but, if like me, you enjoy budget games that waste a couple of hours that you didn't really have anything else to do with anyway, then this is for you. 5/10

More games yet to come, a non stop thrill ride of indie games and other budget 'gems'. Maybe I should go and cut my actual grass instead.