The latest edition of strict, but generally fair, premier UK video gaming magazine EDGE is now available. Issue 398 contains a number of reviews including Animal Well, Stellar Blade and Endless Ocean Luminous The game which walked away with the highest review score in this month’s edition of EDGE is a tie between both Animal Well and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes. Both of which received 9/10.
Animal Well – 9
Even as we begin to unpick what we can only assume is Animal Well’s final layer – when it comes to one visible secret, we know the what but not the how – there are parts of this world that will, perhaps forever, remain something of an enigma. The fascination of those lingering unknowns is part of why Basso’s remarkable indie debut takes up residence in your brain when you’re not playing it. But on a fundamental level, it is simply a beautifully constructed, wonderfully characterful adventure, one that marks the blossoming of a major talent.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes – 9
For all its cinematic aspirations and borrowings, though, it’s clear the Swedish studio’s heart firmly belongs to videogames. As such, Lorelei’s bravura endgame sequence is fully interactive, combining a final chapter test that riffs on the likes of Professor Layton and Hotel Dusk’s interstitial quizzes and the credits of classic 16bit adventures such as A Link to the Past, a whistle-stop tour reminding you just how far you’ve come.
Stellar Blade – 6
There are flashes of brilliance in Stellar Blade, still, most often sparked by the titular weapon. But it’s too broad and with that a little overdone. If only Eve’s initial clarity of purpose had been more contagious.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes – 7
Many of the Kickstarter backers expecting a Suikoden title in all but name will doubtless see these as small concessions for a loving homage to an ensemble RPG no one else has managed to emulate since. Rather than a new generation of genuinely memorable heroes, though, we’re not really getting any more than a handsome tribute act.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau – 7
Still, while it can be trying, Tales of Kenzera remains a piece of classy engineering, supported by evocative landscapes, meaty audio effects and a score that combines traditional Bantu sounds with modern electronica
Crow Country – 8
As it draws to a close we’re ready to escape Crow Country but simultaneously sad when the safety bar has lifted, and this nigh-euphoric ride has come to a complete standstill.
Sand Land – 5
As an adaptation of a setting, it’s a little too effective: the vibe of the place might be right, but a desert in the panels of a manga is a very different experience to virtually inhabiting one. There are points of interest here, but they’re scattered too far and wide to make this a worthwhile excursion.
Endless Ocean Luminance – 6
At once expanded yet stripped back (or focused if you’re feeling generous), Luminance might not quite be Endless Ocean as we know it, but it retains enough of the series’ distinctive signature that it’s worth taking the plunge.
Indika – 7
Which means there’s some endless noodling among the most focused passages. But if Indika won’t be everyone’s tempo, it proves you can work small miracles when you dare to shed family habits.
Not even close baby
I love games that challenge the player while still maintaining a sense of space waves, so this one is definitely on my radar.