Mojiken has a talent for beautiful adventure games that draw upon heavy emotions. Mojiken, an indie game development studio is based in Surabaya, Indonesia. their flair is for short visual novels with a unique style. In When The Past Was Around you play as a young woman named Eda, she has suffered a great loss in her life, Her beloved has passed away!

You navigate her precious memories through their shared love of music in attempts to find Eda closure.

A Quite Game With a Loud Message

When The Past Was Around uses an ever-growing melody, hummed and whistled as you progress. no doubt a favourite tune they shared.

This guides Eda toward the next portion of memory as you try to salvage the joy from the grief.

It’s a tough topic to approach but Mojiken does a tasteful job. As much as past memories can sting as we endure loss, ultimately we can salvage our joy within them too!

As I played through this slow and somewhat simple puzzle game, that sweet melody did start to become slightly irritating. Think of your dad whistling a tune as your trying to watch a movie. I do enjoy point and click adventures and have played many, this one hit a little different. why you might ask?

Substance and Puzzles

The game has a strong basis for an emotionally charged plot and a strong foundation for character connection. Unfortunately, it does not capitalise on these strengths.

We don’t find out much about Eda and her Partner, even Eda’s name is slightly cryptic, hidden in plain sight within a puzzle. Each nice memory is shattered with a ‘Pang’ of grief as you seek closure, killing the music and erasing the joyful Owl figure representing her deceased lover. I was left wanting a challenge when it came to the puzzles. They were so straightforward and lacklustre. Nothing new or innovative struck me with excitement.

It does suit those who are more casual to puzzle games and wish to enjoy a short picturesque story.

A depressing conclusion

I enjoyed my almost two-hour playthrough. It is very short but exciting at times. It is hard to overlook the overly recycled melody as you progress. As you find enjoyment in the game, suddenly your force-feed this same playschool tune. It’s nothing too special unfortunately but it is a nice relaxing game to pass some time on your commute.

If these issues have reflected what someone has been through I’m sure it will hit home and have a greater impression.

A simple yet metaphorical journey which helps bring back joy to the nostalgia of those we have lost.

Stay tuned to GamEir. Come talk with us on Twitter (@gam_eir), Facebook (@GamEir), and Instagram (@GamEir).

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With recent details emerging that launch titles are going to cost $70.00/ £60.00 (so you can bet it’s €70.00) I want to know I’m getting my bang for my buck! One title I’m pleased to fork out my money for is Demon’s Souls!

Bluepoint who bringing Demon’s Souls to (re)life?

Bluepoint Games has certainly taken their jobs seriously clearly understanding FromSoftware has its reputation on the line handing such an iconic game over to a third party.

Thankfully Bluepoint has really invested a lot of thought and energy into its efforts. remaking it from the ground up.

The developers of Shadow of the Colossus (of which Graham reviewed and adored) and the Nathan Drake collection definitely have a trustworthy reputation. The new lighting system, faster load times and fluid mechanics bring new life to Demon’s Souls and I can already see it will be like playing a entirely new game, one that you already love!

My research brought me across a comparison video, side by side screens of just how the upgrades fair compared to the PS3 title.

Check out the stunning footage below to whet your appetite.

Stay tuned to GamEir. And if you’re interested, come converse with us on Twitter (@gam_eir), Facebook (@GamEir), and Instagram (@GamEir).

Check out our videos on Twitch (GamEir) and YouTube (GamEir) and we’ll give you all the latest content!

The post A look at Demon’s Souls HD PlayStation Showcase appeared first on GamEir.

The mesmerising and intriguing trailer for Little Devil Inside had me wide-eyed and begging for more!

At first glance it looks like another indie styled adventure game based around hunting monsters, Displaying a unique yet familiar art style and animation reminiscent of little big planet mixed with flame and the flood.

It definitely has its own unique flavour too. An almost anime-style wide-eyed protagonist and an undeniable running tone of humour which is sure to be a treat.

To my delight and with a little research there is a wealth of information available for Little Devil Inside.

Little Devil Inside

The South Korean developer Neostream, summarised the game quite nicely;

“Little Devil Inside is a truly engaging 3D action adventure RPG game where you are thrown into a surreal but somewhat familiar setting with humans, creatures and monsters to interact with, learn and hunt – journey, survive and discover the world that exists beyond.

This game is not just about killing arch-demons and saving the world. Take in the atmosphere and live a realistic life in an unrealistic world. This is a game that tells stories about people with ‘unusual’ jobs such as hunting monsters and what happens in their everyday life doing so.”

Characters with character

There are also 3 playable characters and they are all unique with different strengths and weaknesses.

Neostream goes on to develop this point further in their Kickstarter saying;

“You the main character is not a super hero or supernaturally gifted with powers in any way. Through the game he will develop and become strong but within human limitations. The character will be vulnerable and can be sick, be hurt, diseased etc.

Such a character will need to study its enemies and rely on technology to confront them and gain experience and strength. The hardship, pain and emotions will be visually expressed as-is within the game.

Other characters will each have their own set of specialities and areas of strength/weakness and have a role in the main storyline.”

You Little Devil!

Now for some Big shocking news (from the archives!) and somewhat controversial!

Little Devil Inside was set for release back in 2016. Reaching its Kickstarter funding, it was due to release on Wii U, PS4 and Xbox One but it never did.

Sony has signed a timed exclusive deal with Neostream for the PS5. The PS5 will now get Little Devil Inside even before the backers of the Kickstarter 5 years ago on all other platforms!

Not the best fan loyalty from Neostream but business is business I suppose.

Gameplay

The Kickstarter page has plenty of unique insights to the battle, looting and exploration systems developed to make Little Devil Inside a very attractive and playable package. check out the battle mechanics below

I’m still very much excited for this title and urge anyone with similar interest to check out their Kickstarter for gameplay and extended previews.

If you missed it then your in for a treat and I implore you to watch the trailer below. Check out GamEir for more exclusive reviews and exciting content.

The post First look at Little Devil Inside appeared first on GamEir.

Lambert and Coën have found their real-life counterparts in Paul Bullion and Yasen Atour.

Paul is a solid actor, having been in some familiar movies and series such as Dracula Untold (2014) and Peaky Blinders.

He definitely has the look of a somewhat hardened soul, combine magic and the typical “dead-eyed” emotion Witchers portray and I can see the glove will certainly fit with this casting choice.

Yasen has a wealth of television series and movies under his belt such as The State, Ben Hur and Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation. So we can expect some strong acting to support the role.

Easy to see why he was considered in the casting choice.

These two actors will certainly add to the ranks of talent already cast in the first season of The Witcher. With fans still eagerly awaiting the casting of Vesemir shortly, rest assured that the right talent will be sought.

So as for the Vesemir Debate, I side on the “Anti-Hamill” team for the main reasons of Authenticity within the Witcher world.

Geralt being played by Cavill is all the “Hollywood” the series needs and gave it a big general audience attraction. The casting of less ‘recognisable’ actors creates a real sense of fresh and novel creation. This allows for a more authentic translation from the books.

With my opinion expressed, let us hear what you have to say! What are your top actors to take on a truly authentic Vesemir in Season 2 of The Witcher?

For more updates and future The Witcher casting alerts to make sure to like and subscribe to our GamEir social media below.

Source: Redanian Intelligence 

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What is Spin Rhythm XD? I admit, I never heard of this game. When I found out it was a music “Rhythm timing” game, I wasn’t looking forward to playing it.

Not since the days of Bust A Groove and Parappa The Rappa have I ventured down these streets.

But boy was I wrong!

Sudden Excitement

I load up the game for the first time and get a funky, Daft Punk slap in the face! I did not retaliate, I actually quite enjoyed it.

The pascal digital landscape you are treated with for a menu is inviting as it is intriguing.

I did not have the optional controller, it resembles a miniature DJ turntable and Midi, but I can only imagine how much more fun that would make the already funkadelic experience. Regardless, using the mouse and keyboard works a treat.

The tutorial is quick and really gets your mind sweating as you figure out the sudoku puzzle, that is, timing your clicks and flicks to the rhythm.

Soon enough though, you resemble a young Matt Damon standing at a chalkboard, wildly flailing his wrists in ultimate confidence, knowledge, and execution. All the time hearing the juicy beats pop as you hit the buttons with perfection, scoring wild points and feeling like a DJ god.

Execution

It all works from a fix cog-like wheel in the centre of the screen, it consists of two colours, blue and pink. Little nodes flow toward you in different colours and you have to match them to the wheel and follow them as they swerve and roll from left to right. It’s tricky, I found myself enjoying the music so much I would get distracted.

A Major tip:  Wear headphones or hook up to a loud sound system because the soundtrack is a treat to the eardrum.

Even more enticing is the launch trailer. Get your headphones on now and watch the trailer below.

I can sit down and just listen to the music Super Spin Digital has compiled for this awesome game.

Here is a list of just a few of the gifted artists:

• Hyper Potions.
• Nitro Fun.
• Subtact.
• Tut Tut Child.
• Panda Eyes.
• Teminite.
• Pegboard Nerds.
• Tristam.
• Braken.
• Maxo.

Conclusion

I wanted to dislike this game based on my bias of the genre, I never really understood the allure. However, Spin Rhythm XD converted me and feed me a big old slice of humble pie. I loved it!

Fun, brain-twisting, super attractive to pay and it flows beautifully!

It is just so darn colourful and delightful to the soul. Truly an enjoyable experience and addictive. Opium for both the ears and the eyes.

Spin Rhythm XD will release on October 22nd for PC via Steam, retailing at 19.99 USD so roughly the same in Euro.

I will leave you with a Twitter link to the Spin Rhythm XD being executed (No, not by Matt Damon) on the Turntable and Midi controllers. It is sure to be a hit with all DJ, rhythm and music lovers worldwide

Hey we're excited to share a teaser for our new game! Music and all!
This song is appropriately titled ‘New Game’ by @nitrofun. pic.twitter.com/uRuxuQA2rL

— Spin Rhythm XD (OUT NOW!) (@SpinRhythmGame) July 17, 2018

For all things Gaming, check out our Facebook, Twitter and the official website.

The post A Review in Progress: Spin Rhythm XD appeared first on GamEir.

IRON JUDGEMENT adds 80 more cards to the bank and a few tasty gameplay mechanics.

Amour, Defender, Barricade and Exposed will add some more complexity and challenge to the gameplay.

This addition will have players delighted and intrigued. If you are a Redditor then be sure to keep an eye on the r/Gwent megathread, which updates as the card reveals are released.

Players will also be able to use the appearance of King Radovid V, an iconic character from The Witcher series of games, for their leader of the Northern Realms faction. A nice Gwent DLC nod to The Witcher is always a treat I love to see.

The introduction of “Arena Mode” will only allow the use of the new cards. This is sure to help players familiarise themselves with the new arsenal.

CD Projekt Red also announced some interesting incentives for their GWENT fan base as follows:

“Players who log into GWENT before October 8th, 11:59 CEST, can claim a free Iron Judgment Keg, granting them 5 cards from the new expansion. A limited-time offer in the form of the Game of Kings Pack is also available via the in-game shop.”

This is sure to add new life to the beloved Witcher card game.

Iron Judgment is available for download as a free content update for GWENT on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The expansion will also be part of the mobile release of the game, currently available for pre-order on the App Store and coming to iOS on October 29th.

For more information, follow playgwent.com.

Check out GamEir for more juicy gaming news, reviews and competitions. you can connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and our awesome website GamEir.ie

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Successfully funded on Kickstarter back in June, the guys from The Game Kitchen have recently released their masterpiece upon the world.

If your checklist for a quality game includes:

• Tough, hair-pulling difficulty
• Sexy unique graphics
• Immersive ambiance and style
• 2D Dark Souls inspired game

Then you have struck gold, don’t read on, just go now and buy it!

What you need to know

Blasphemous has its wealth of trailers and gameplay footage which all portray a game built on sublime combat that is devastating, fluid and unforgiving in the best way possible.

Think, Shinobi (Sega Megadrive) had a baby with Dark Souls. need I say more?

If wrecking grotesque, demented monsters in a fast-paced, hardcore hack n slasher don’t make you lick your lips, then just look at this video and try not to fall in love with what can only be described as a Picasso nightmare, reimagined within a game.

Tell me more

Our Spanish friends and developers The Game Kitchen have created a game inspired by Spanish folklore.

They have released a great bundle of information on Blasphemous, here are some of the most intriguing details they released which really has me excited at getting my hands on this title:

Explore Cvstodia
Venture through Blasphemous in any direction you like, with an open nonlinear level structure, finding key items will help you progress through the world and access new areas and secrets.

Pixel Perfect Combat
Use devastating combos and brutal executions to unleash destruction on grotesque enemies. Perform a parry at the right time and stagger your foes leaving them open for a counterattack.

It all strikes familiar with Dark Souls gameplay, which I for one LOVE. that leaves only one thing:

Time to grab your sword, say your prayers and delve into this dark fantasy nightmare which is guaranteed to give hours of fun and challenge.

Blasphemous is out now on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

For a full review check back soon on our Facebooks, Twitter, and our official website.

The post Is Blapshemous the coolest looking metroidvania yet? appeared first on GamEir.

Greedfall is the newly anticipated RPG from Spiders Game Studio. Spiders Studios are best known for their games Bound by Flame and Of Orc and Men. Greedfall received a lot of attention and therefore hopes have been set very high. Did it live up to the hype?

What is Greedfall?

Greedfall has a mixture of elements. Many have made connections to massive RPG heavy hitters such as The Witcher and Skyrim. It resembles The Witcher loosely in graphics and combat.

Skyrim has an open world, strong vision and style to its environment that may share similarities with Greedfall attempts but that is where it ends, unfortunately.

As for the story, it revolves around a disease called the Malichor. You are a noble and recently commissioned to sail across to the mystical Island of Teer Fradee so as to aid your cousin, the Prince, to find a cure for this disease.

Teer Fradee has many native tribes and also some settlers from the mainlands, most of whom are at war or in tensions with one another.

You spend your time acting as a diplomat, easing tensions, reopening trade routes and creating allies to your kingdom. All while searching for a cure.

It is all sounds fun, but does it hold up?

Gameplay

The battle system is simple and to the point. You can cast spells, use a heavy and fast attack and dodge or block your enemies attacks.

Enemies are tough but with some initial upgrading things get easier, and having up to 3 companions that can fight alongside you can add some advantages but nothing that compromises Greedfalls difficulty.

Bosses are challenging and usually need their armour buff depleted first before their large health bar takes a hit. Most of your time is spent doing seamlessly endless side quests that follow the same pattern over and over.

Meet a tribal person, do them a favour, that favour turns into another errand and then you must fulfil the other parties request and finally complete the initial quest. rinse and repeat for a good 10 hours while unveiling some more lore and history behind the Islands mystery and hopeful answer to a cure for Malichor.

NPC character models are recycled a lot! You will meet one guy with a particular face, wearing a hat with an English accent trying to poison you. Then you will meet the same face, without a hat but with a strange Welsh/Irish accent, asking for your help.

It’s amusing and obviously a budget/time chosen by the studio. It does take away slightly from the sense of quality.

Positives

When I first started Greedfall I was hyped! The warm nostalgia that flooded my senses as I interacted with the character creation menu took me back to Skyrim and Fallout.

The music and strong victorian style had me drooling. This mythical world of monsters and magic looks awesome in every cutscene and the sense of adventure motivates exploration.

The awesome game mechanic which allows you to “tactical pause” the game while rearranging and accessing spells, weapons, and potions is so handy and a lifesaver in tough situations. I was sure the slow but strong development of the storyline and the sinister monster-filled world would beat me black and blue in a good way.

One great attribute is the multiple-choice dialogues which impact the outcomes of quests, nothing new from other games in the genre such as Fallout, but it always makes for a more immersive experience. After stepping on the ship and setting sail two hours into the game, I was ready to conquer Teer Fradee! What greeted me on the other side you ask? Well, it’s not so simple as you will see.

The iffy bits

Greedfall is presented in such a beautiful package. On paper, it is the next best thing to a new Witcher game mixed with Skyrim. Unfortunately, it is none of these, not by a long shot. Greedfall never claimed to be anything like the Goliath’s of old but it certainly was aiming for the same heights.

It reminds me of the phrase “Shoot for the sun and you can still land on the stars”. Greedfall falls slightly lower than the stars.

Taking such a huge bite at the most intimidating genre of gaming is a bold and courageous challenge for any studio, so hats off to the guys at Spider Studio.

Yet considering they had the templates of two great games having very similar gameplay traits, they still fell short when it came to the enjoyability of the game. It looks the parts, at times feels the part but ultimately it has one big flaw.

Enjoyability

It is just so tedious at the best of times. Far-reaching quests that force you into packs of enemies every few moments make the game feel very linear.

The sense of adventure dies as you follow set pathways into more packs of enemies or an NPC only to be sent back a mile away in a new direction just to grind into another pack of enemies.

Learning about the tribes is fun yet they chose a strange Irish/ Welsh accent which sounds like someone with a speech disability and could easily be found as offensive or mocking of a Dubliners/ Welsch accent, especially as these tribal people are being portrayed as the savages of the island compared to the intellectuals of the white settlers.

15 hours in, the game just didn’t evolve enough and started to drag. I felt if I had to do another diplomatic errand boy quest I would cry, I found myself mindlessly running to the destinations not yet unlocked while staring at my phone simultaneously as it just bored me.

Conclusion

This is one game that has unfortunately missed the mark for me.

Creativity is there and the premise is very intriguing yet the execution and enjoyment wears thin after 15 hours of hoping for more exciting developments. For all I know around hour 25 this game could become amazing but it felt strenuous to continue.

Greedfall was marketed with the most amazing trailer and little else up until release.

It looked as though we had a game reaching the heights of Horizon Zero Dawn, The Witcher, and Skyrim. Afterall it allowed itself to cause so much hype with its trailer.

Then with little effort and no more direction for fans to judge it by, disappointment was a huge possibility. It did unfortunately disappoint.

Stay tuned to GamEir. Also, be sure and converse with us on Twitter (@gam_eir), Facebook (@GamEir), and Instagram (@GamEir). Check out our videos on Twitch (GamEir) and YouTube (GamEir) and we’ll give you all the latest content.

The post A Review in Progress: Greedfall appeared first on GamEir.

Have you played ABZU, or Journey? Well then maybe Flower?

If you have not, then you are missing out on a unique experience, Big time! Do yourself a favour and check them out ASAP.

ABZU scored 9/10 on steam, Flower Won a BAFTA Game Award! Just read the comments section on Steam and you will see it how impressed people were with these titles.

The Art and the Creative Director Matt Nava (co-founder of Giant Squid) created ABZU, Flower and Journey,

He is behind these games and the newest installment The Pathless, so you just know it is going to blow your imagination into a million beautiful pieces and paint them across a twinkling night time sky.

These games are a genre within themselves. Giant Squid definitely makes their mark with a very unique ‘out of the box’ thinking and creativity, it is “game creation art” in its finest form.

The Pathless

Now Giant Squid Studios is returning with another title due for release sometime this year in 2019.

It looks just as insanely amazing and breathtaking as their previous ventures.

You are a Red Ninja ( also the best type of Power ranger) dashing through some Exsquite landscapes. But as with all of Giant Squid games, it does fit any mould, which in turn leaves us wanting to know more.

What to Expect

I am in no doubt the visuals, music, mystery and appeal is guaranteed when it comes to The Pathless but what intrigues me is the trailer below which show some very interested Game-Play type footage. We see our Ninja heroine continuously dashing forward, Reminds me of the old Jungle Run days but in a far more awesome and immersive way.

This is what I love from a game studio, when they break from the norm and try something with a twist, a hint of spice to leave you tingling.

As for the story, we do not get much from the trailer at all but here is what the developers have written:

“Become the Hunter, a master of archery whose mission is to dispel the curse of darkness that grips her world.  Forge a connection with an eagle companion as you explore a vast, forested island full of secrets.
Solve puzzles in ancient ruins and test your skill in epic battles. Hunt corrupted spirits, but be careful not to become the hunted yourself. The bond with your eagle and the fate of the world hang in the balance.”

So there we have it, straight from the Squids mouth. A game of puzzles, action, a secretive vast Island that will put our skills to the test and a Frickin’ Eagle companion. That ticks all my boxes!

The Pathless is due for release in 2019 but no official date has yet been announced so make sure to stay tuned to GamEir for updates as they arrive.

Check back for our review soon.

Keep on Gaming.

The post The Pathless is Giant Squid Studios’ next Masterpiece of Gaming appeared first on GamEir.

Journey into the Masquerada

Indie RPG’s seem to be the bread and butter of the current Nintendo Switch trend.

It makes sense, portability and Indie go hand in hand since the Gameboy days.  With massive AAA titles roaring onto every major console and PC including the Nintendo Switch. It’s a challenge to find indie games that holds our gaming loyalty and attention. Masquerada: Songs and Shadows, in my humble opinion, is Not that game we seek, unfortunately.

We are not all negative here at Gameir. It does have an upside, Let me explain.

Unique-ish

Its quirky Renaissance-inspired style, Music and characters are great fun.

Set during a civil war in a magical Venetian city filled with Lore and Intrigue. Masquerada: Songs and Shadows has a great story full of heart and betrayal.

It definitely keeps your attention. The hand-drawn art and brilliant voice acting add to the colourful world of Songs and Shadows. this is very unique and has a beauty that immerses the player.

The story is linear and so this is reflected fully in the gameplay which is our next subject. it is also its let down.

Gameplay

This is where things get a bit unstable! Remember when the first camera phones came out, the Sharp GX10 and GX20 were my choices. One reason I remember these phones is due to the games library you could download for them. the games were always a bit sketchy, the gameplay was jumbled and crowded making it hard to focus on your character. it was a cloud of pixels!

Well Masquerada: Songs and Shadows gameplay reminds me of those mobile games back in 2005! the graphics are way better but the whole blur of 20 characters mushed together, all battling in a fuzz of confusion, still remains.

Now I know there are some WOW players and MMO fans out there who take this style for granted and it doesn’t bother them at all. Well, then this is a great game for you, with similar gameplay and mechanics with an in-depth storyline.

I, However, was never big into that genre and so from a console kid background, this just seems overly convoluted.

While you swim in a sea of flickering bodies, you have different spell options allowing you to channel the elements and cast destructive magic. It is all familiar with any magic casting type RPG. there are quite a few problems with the gameplay, actions, and attacks can be tricky or just plain useless in some cases.

Overall

It isn’t the worst game but it was not my cup of tea. The switch has so many dynamic indie titles available, this one stands out due to its style and depth of story. Yet I felt this was not enough to truly capture my attention, mostly due to the dodgy mechanics and cluttered gameplay.

The post A Review in Progress: Masquerada: Songs and Shadows appeared first on GamEir.