Jeremy Fisher 1/24/18 Jeremy Fisher 1/24/18

Light Tracer Review

Light Tracer combines platform-style movement and unique puzzles with exceptional controls and graphic style. Using two Move controllers, players lead a princess to the top of a tower to help her save her people. One controller is used to wield a Light Staff to guide the princess and the other interacts with objects and moves the camera around the world. Players will use a combination of jumping skills, precise timing and strategic attacks to complete eight chapters with five levels each.

Release Date: September 26, 2017
Platform(s): PSVR
Developer: Void Dimensions
Price: $14.99

As with most VR games, the controls in Light Tracer are a little difficult to adapt to at first, but I got used to them fairly quickly. One thing I found that I didn’t like was that I had to center the camera quite often. As mentioned before, one controller is used to move the world around and this is used quite often. Some levels require a bit of rotating the world in order to look at the path ahead of the princess to plan out your strategy or solve puzzles. Doing this causes quite a bit of re-centering the camera.

With that being said, the gameplay in Light Tracer is very fluid and immersive. The levels get more and more difficult as you go, with little messages appearing with info every now and then, such when you unlock a new ability or need to use an ability for the first time. This doesn’t make the game any easier, it just notifies you about what the princess is able to do now. Thankfully, there are checkpoints throughout the levels that you will return to if you die. Not only are these appreciated due to the rising difficulty level, they also give you a chance to take your time and explore different ways to solve puzzles and advance through the stages.

At one point, the constant rise in difficulty reaches the point where you can control gravity in an upside down world, and a world with mechanical puzzles that are even harder to beat. This all goes for the bosses as well. The first boss requires a couple of easy moves, but after that, each boss can take a few tries before conquering. The boss puzzles are fun and usually more challenging than their stages, as they usually combine recently learned mechanics with some new idea or twist that you need to really think of to identify and successfully beat each boss.

When it comes to graphics, the game is beautifully designed. The levels are fantastic and beautiful with quirky characters as enemies, and every single platform is unique. As for character design, each type of terrain has its own type of enemy and they are all cute and quirky. There are different outfits you can purchase for the princess by collecting crystals strewn about the levels. There are three dresses and one panda suit. Yes, a panda suit. The crystals are easy to get at first, but later it becomes a life-or-death choice when there are multiple moving platforms and enemies and 10 crystals to be had over a gaping hole in the center of the platform.

Overall, Light Tracer is a very fun and intuitive VR experience. The controls can take a little bit to get used to, but once you are used to them they come natural. The increasing difficulty is a plus, as it never becomes too easy or too difficult. In fact, have those ‘aha’ moments is one thing that makes you want to keep going. The only downside to Light Tracer is the camera issues, but I was able to put these aside for the most part. If you enjoy platforming puzzle games and own a PSVR, Light Tracer is a no-brainer purchase for $14.99.

Pros

Fluid and intuitive gameplay and controls.
Beautiful graphics
Unique and challenging puzzles

Cons

Camera angles can cause problems

Thank you to Void Dimensions for providing us with a review copy.

Jeremy Fisher 4/24/17 Jeremy Fisher 4/24/17

Puyo Puyo Tetris Review

Puyo Puyo Tetris is a four-player puzzler mashup that launches April 25 for $39.99 on the Nintendo Switch. It combines the classic falling-block action of Tetris with the bean-matching gameplay of Puyo Puyo, which is similar to Kirby’s Avalanche. These games are mixed in a variety of ways, depending on the game mode you choose, but publisher Sega has found a way to do just about every possible combination.

Release Date: April 25th, 2017
Developer: Sega Studios
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Price: $39.99

Puyo Puyo Tetris is a four-player puzzler mashup that launches April 25 for $29.99 on the Nintendo Switch. It combines the classic falling-block action of Tetris with the bean-matching gameplay of Puyo Puyo, which is similar to Kirby’s Avalanche. These games are mixed in a variety of ways, depending on the game mode you choose, but publisher Sega has found a way to do just about every possible combination. As expected, you can play Puyo Puyo or Tetris on their own. You can also play them at the same time, on the same playfield, or randomly on their own playfield as the game switches between the two. You can even play Tetris against someone playing Puyo Puyo.

When you start up the game, you are given three options that allow you to instantly start a game of Puyo Puyo, Tetris or Mix Mode. A game like this on the Switch should be simple to pick up and go and Puyo Puyo Tetris is very good at this aspect. The fact that I can boot up the game and be in a game in less than a minute is perfect for the handheld mode.

Even with all of these game mode options, there is a full story mode in which you follow the characters of the Puyo Puyo franchise. They meet new friends who don't seem to know your game and only play something called Tetris. In story mode, you will play missions which vary from competing against opponents to clearing out certain objectives as quickly as possible. The objectives are pretty straight forward and the difficulty of these levels are at just the right level to give you a little challenge, but not too arduous. The story mode is also a good tool to help learn different aspects of both games. Each level also has a 3-star objective system, which you earn a star for completing each of 3 different objectives in a level. These vary from defeating your opponent within a certain amount of time to earning a certain amount of points. Some of these objectives can be tough, but I found myself replaying some levels to attempt to get that 3rd star. It took me about 6 hours to complete story mode, but I didn’t 3-star every level.

I had the most fun in the competitive modes. One mode I really enjoy is Big Bang Mode, which is basically an Endless Fever game with up to 4 players. Players continuously solve easy puzzles for points and build up an attack bar. After a certain amount of time has passed, players battle it out and those with an edge can deal some heavy damage to the opponent's hit points. Once a player is out of hit points, they are eliminated from the game. The last player standing wins.

Multiplayer games can be played locally on TV or tabletop mode, locally with multiple Switches and online. At the time of review, online matches were not available, but I am really looking forward to getting into some online matches after the launch of Puyo Puyo Tetris on April 25. From what I could find in the Online menus, you can play against random players or easily set up a match with a friend. You can also make your own lobbies and add specific rules to challenge the internet at large.

Puyo Puyo Tetris makes its arrival on the Nintendo Switch in grand fashion. Anyone that enjoys a good puzzler from time to time should pick this one up. The solid amount of modes, both solo and online, keep the replayability high. Puyo Puyo Tetris is one of the best games currently available on the Switch. Don't miss out when it releases very soon

Pros

Colorful art style
Easy to pick up and play
Great variety of game modes
Very entertaining multiplayer modes

Cons

Some single player competitive modes are too easy

Thank you to Sega for giving us a copy for review.