Child of Light Review

 

After making the leap to Xbox One and viewing my – admittedly limited – games collection, I noticed that there was something missing, in that the current Xbox One titles are lacking in RPG’s. Now it’s arguable that such games as Dead Rising 3 and Black Flag have roleplaying elements to them, but there are no true RPG’s available to players. It’s true that with Destiny just around the corner and Dragon Age: Inquisition set for release in October that we won’t need to wait long, but in the meantime here’s a little gem to help you get your fix.

Despite critical acclaim, with such a hype for Watch Dogs, Ubisoft’s arcade release Child of Light was significantly over shadowed and swept under the rug somewhat. The story follows Aurora, a Child of Light as she adventures through the fairy tale-esque land of Lemuria in search of the Sun, Moon and Stars stolen by the Queen of Night.

Players travel through the levels as a 2D platformer, solving puzzles and collecting items to progress to the next areas, much in a way like fellow arcade hit, Limbo. The game encourages re-playable exploration of areas by making collectable items only available after later sections of the game are completed, such as players acquiring the ability of flight. Combat is turn based with an ‘active time battle system’ much like within the Final Fantasy series, with Aurora and one of seven party member facing up to three enemy monsters. Aurora’s party consists of a variety of creatures ranging from magical gnomes to feral beasts from all across Lemuria, each with their own stats and skill trees.

However your best friend within the game is Igniculus, a firefly and the first person Aurora encounters when she awakens in Lemuria. Igniculus aids players both in and out of combat with his glow, measured by his own glow meter. Out of combat, his glow lights dark passages, blinds foes and unlocks magical chests, whereas in combat Igniculus can heal friendly characters as well as slowing enemies on the timeline.

The game also includes a crafting system with Oculi, precious gems scattered across the land that provide special effects to damage, defence and skills. When combined in the crafting menu, these gems can create more powerful Oculi or entirely new Oculi types.

Playing Child of Light is like moving through a painting with its stunning yet simplistic visuals and inkblot transitions, accompanied by a beautifully orchestrated musical score, it creates a truly charming gaming experience. Child of Light provides a fairy tale adventure filled with friendship, betrayal, victory and loss, and for £11.99 is the perfect way to settle your RPG cravings.  

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Review

Yo ho! And set sail me trumps! Assassin’s creed has gone all nautical. Ubisoft’s latest instalment of the bestselling series follows the swashbuckling adventures of Captain Edward kenway as he sails the seas in search of plunder and booty. Black Flag promises to deliver what all Assassin’s creed games do, a suspiciously acrobatic protagonist hunting down Templars and their associates with a combination of stealth and satisfying assassinations.

It goes without saying that the assassinations are one of the game’s strongest points. No one can deny feeling that adrenaline rush when they stalk their prey from the rafters and pull of a preposterously high air assassination, before slinking back into the shadows undetected. What Black flag also brings to the table however, is its baggage. Players are still forced to succumb to the mind numbingly tedious tailing objectives (not to mention those irritating eavesdrop missions) which are not only dull but infuriating to repeat if detected.

That being said, by playing as a pirate captain, Ubisoft has been able to take the naval settings of Assassin’s Creed III (arguably the greatest aspect of the game) and expand upon it. The naval battles remain relatively unchanged, with players going toe to toe with enemy ships and naval forts from both the Spanish and British Navy. In Black Flag however, Kenway’s Jackdaw has a few more toys to play with, having a larger arsenal of firepower thanks to the chase cannons and mortars, as well as the diving bell to explore underwater treasure troves. Another nifty little addition is the rowboat, essentially acting as a mini game allowing players to hunt creatures of the deep with harpoons. This is prime example at how Ubisoft manages to create a great deal of satisfaction with a single button event. It seems that launching harpoon’s at a humpback with only the right trigger is just as enjoyable as a patented double hidden blade assassination with a simple press of the X button.

Any collector junkies out there, have no fear, Black Flag continues Assassin’s Creed’s tradition of collectables, delivering a smorgasbord of goodies for you to hunt down both within the animus and also as an Abstergo employee. Players are able to acquire cryptic messages hidden in Abstergo headquarters as well as hacked computer files referring to subject 17 Desmond Miles (now sample 17).

Putting to one side the pros and cons of the previous games that have been carried over, Black Flag’s most appealing quality is its engaging lead character. We must remember that what made Assassin’s creed II one of the best in the series, is that Ezio showed us all that an assassin can have their own personality, that they don’t need to follow the creed like scripture, and that in comparison, his predecessor Altair was a little boring to play as.

After Connor’s woefully dull period as Assassin’s Creed’s lead, Kenway is exactly what the series needs, a charming rouge who takes nothing too seriously other than his own fortune. The reason Edward is so likeable is that he isn’t truly an assassin. Yes he has the athleticism required to perform the tricks of the trade but he is merely a pirate who defeats an assassin in combat and adorns his foes cowl. In truth the only thing linking Kenway to the main story arc with the assassin’s is his quest to obtain the Templar’s ultimate treasure, the observatory, and even then it is not a noble cause, simply a means to acquire riches. 

Verdict:

Black Flag offers players the same thrills that it always has with a simple but enjoyable combat system, satisfying stealth gameplay and destructive naval battles. Just grit your teeth and white knuckle it through the tedious tailing missions and you’ll enjoy a satisfying action filled, swashbuckling adventure.

8/10