Resident Evil – Top VIII Ridiculous Moments
The month of May marches on and the team at VGamingNews are continuing our look back at the Resident Evil franchise and discussing what makes it one of the best, and most popular, series in gaming. While the series prides itself on scares and gruesome monsters, we can’t ignore the franchise’s B-Movie roots and some of the silliness that we’ve been treated to throughout the years. So below are our rankings of the Top VIII Most Ridiculous Moments in the Resident Evil franchise; some simply raised an eyebrow while others literally had us laughing out loud, but they certainly helped make Resident Evil what it is today. Let us know your favourite ridiculous memories from the series in the comments!
VIII. Chris Punching Boulders (Resident Evil 5 – 2009)
When we started Resident Evil 5, we immediately noticed that Chris had decided to hit the gym and get ripped. Those big beefy arms were certainly out of place compared to his usual appearance, but it was convenient that steroid-induced Redfield had been juicing when it came to the climax of the game. The stage was set for Chris to finally face off against series stalwart Albert Wesker, in a volcano no less. Why no one is questioning how a normal human is withstanding temperatures that would evaporate skin is beyond us, but as the battle progresses, a boulder the size of a large bus gets in Chris’ way. Not wanting to waste any time, he decides to punch his way through. No guns, no grenades, just pure brute force. We don’t know if it was the ‘roids doing the business but Chris certainly got it done, and now “Press X to punch” is one of the most iconic memes, not only in the series, but the whole of videogame history. In later games, this ridiculous feat gets brought up and is still as funny today as it ever was. Thank you Capcom.
VII. Derek the Dinosaur (Resident Evil 6 – 2012)
Before Capcom’s rethink of the entire series, Resident Evil 6 happened. It threw everything at the players, including a copy of Jurassic Park on DVD. While we could have easily made a Top VIII out of this game alone (flying a helicarrier, really?), the part of the game that takes it too far, even for a Resident Evil game, is Derek Simmons. The antagonist has a few different forms throughout the game, each sillier than the last but what makes no sense is his transformation into a dinosaur. The series has seen the DNA of various creatures being spliced with whatever virus Umbrella has cooked up; snakes, sharks, and spiders have all been genetically altered. In fairness, these can actually be found in the wild but the transformation of Simmons into a freaky T-Rex-type monster left us scratching our heads. Did someone find usable dino DNA? Has Umbrella invented time travel? The best theory we can come up with is that two Umbrella scientists, Susan and Gary, had an argument over the plausibility of Jurassic Park during a heavy sesh. Susan decided to take matters into her own hands and a few weeks later she certainly proved Gary wrong.
VI. Gone Fishin’ (Resident Evil 4 – 2005)
We’re showing our age with this one, but back in secondary school, before the internet really took off, daft rumours around video games circulated via magazines and word-of-mouth. The ones like being able to catch Mew in Pokémon Red if you traded two Mewtwos and pulled the link cable out half way through the trade – outrageous stuff, but with no-one able to confirm or deny, these things spread like wildfire. One such rumour was a simple one to do with Resident Evil 4 – don’t go fishing or something bad will happen. It seemed harmless enough at the time, but unlike the Mew trick, this one was real, and for later rereleases built into the trophy/achievement lists. When you take Leon to the lake, head out onto the dock and start shooting at the fish nearby, Del Lago, the huge Salamander boss will want to have a word with you. With his teeth. It’s a silly and somewhat frightening experience but after the shock, we couldn’t help but laugh at this ridiculous Easter Egg.
V. Neptune (Resident Evil – 1996)
We had to suspend belief a few times in the original Resident Evil, but you could find some twisted logic in there if you looked hard enough. But all that logic goes right out of the window as you clamber down a ladder (hidden behind a couple of bookcases in a random bedroom no less), and discover a broken 750,000 litre aquarium and a few angry sharks swimming around in a basement lab. I genuinely have a multitude of questions… Who exactly is buying genetically modified-shark weapons? Who approved building a lab under a guys bed? How do Umbrella plan on getting the sharks out of that lab? And who had to pay the water bill after filling that tank up?
IV. Tofu (Resident Evil 2 – 1998)
Unlockable characters and outfits come as a badge of honour for players, especially when a game makes it particularly tough to access them – and because they’re tough to get, you’re almost certainly offered a very cool character as a reward for all your hard work. That isn’t really the case with Resident Evil 2 though, where designers took the decision to program in an entire scenario where you play as a giant block of tofu with arms and feet as the very last reward in the game. You might argue that Tofu shouldn’t make the list as he’s only available in a bonus scenario and certainly not canon, but we’re not having it – what is a list of ridiculous Resident Evil moments without mentioning the sentient block of bean curd running through RPD Station?
III. Accessing the Secret Lab (Resident Evil – 1996)
With industrial espionage becoming more advanced than ever before, companies are going to greater lengths to keep their secrets safe, but no-one comes close to how far Umbrella Inc. went to hide their secret lab beneath the Spencer Mansion in Resident Evil. Thinking about it now, how exactly did anyone get any work done, when it must have taken the best part of an hour just to get to your work station in the morning. Get the Eagle Medal from the book, get the Wold Medal from the caves, plug them into the fountain, wait for the water to drain and ask Kevin the intern to put the medals back for you while you take the elevator down to the lab. I find it a hassle having to bring an ID card to work with me, and I struggle to remember my IT passwords most days – there’s no way I’d hack working in the Arklay Facility for more than a week with all that faff required.
II. Live Action (Resident Evil – 1996 / Resident Evil Movies)
To this day we can’t fathom why Capcom took the approach of using actors to chew the sets of a faux forest, trying to escape from a zombie puppet dog, but we’re glad they did.. Jill awkwardly runs through the field like, well, a videogame character, Wesker can’t leave his perfect hair alone and Chris looks like a sweaty mess despite everyone else looking rather kempt. It’s ridiculously hilarious and the uncut version is even better with gratuitous amounts of blood splashing across the screen in full colour. It’s an opening that’s completely disjointed from the rest of the series and definitely daft, but we can’t help but love the amount of ham presented. If this wasn’t proof enough that live action and Resident Evil don’t go hand in hand, the early noughties big screen adaptations certainly reaffirmed this notion. The movies might share the same name and characters, but across the span of six big budget adaptations, the look and feel of a B-Movie was never far away. They are awful, yet somehow rather watchable, in a ‘rubbernecking at a car crash’ kind of way. Maybe we’re being too harsh. Or maybe Paul WS Anderson only saw the opening five minutes of the first game and said “I’ve seen enough, I’ll take it from here”.
I. Voice Acting (Resident Evil – 1996)
Unable to pick just one line for the top spot, we agreed to give the crown of ‘Most Ridiculous Moment’ to the entire voice cast in the original Resident Evil. Adding voice acting to videogames was such a double-edged sword in the 90s. On one hand it offered the chance at immersion and storytelling like never before, but you also had to contend with strained budgets, dubious translations and a very limited pool of actors willing to work on a game. All of these factors culminated in a perfect storm and led to some spectacularly hammy lines that have since worked themselves into the very fabric of videogame lore. The bad script and awful actors worked hand-in-hand to deliver us such golden moments as the terribly wooden, “I hope this is not Chris’ blood”, the overly specific “It might be handy if you, the Master of Unlocking, take it with you”, and of course, the shining star atop the trash heap, “That was too close! You were almost a Jill sandwich!” The entire game is littered with dodgy dialogue, and truly, it’s that B-Movie charm that helped launch the franchise into the hearts of so many players around the globe. Put a smile on your face today by checking out the supercut that brings all of the ridiculousness together under one roof.
Resident Evil – The Top VIII Moments
Still celebrating the release of Resident Evil Village, the VGamingNews team continue our look back at past entries in the series and discuss what makes the series so successful. Below are our rankings of the Top VIII Moments in the Resident Evil franchise; whether memorable for breaking tradition or simply being incredibly fun to play through, these stood out to us as the coolest moments in the series. Spanning 15 years, there’s countless incredible moments across the series – make sure to let us know what your favourites were!
VIII. Jeep Pursuit (Resident Evil 5 – 2009)
We open up our list with one of the cooler action sequences from the series, the fantastic jeep chase in Resident Evil 5. After battling a flappy nightmare in the mining area, Dave Johnson rolls up in a jeep to carry you to Kijuju when you’re ambushed by a huge number of majini on motorbikes and flatbed trucks. Hurtling across the African plains and spewing bullets from a heavy machine gun at a horde of bloodthirsty bikers is incredibly cool and injects a real sense of urgency to the story. Culminating in a battle with a towering Ndesu, the jeep scenes break up the general gameplay in a really memorable way.
VII. Crimson Heads Chase (Resident Evil – 2002)
In our last piece, we brought up the subject of Crimson Heads. After further discussion with the rest of the VGN team, it seems that Joe wasn’t alone in being utterly terrified of them. When you’re walking the halls of the Spencer Mansion in the first Resident Evil, you quickly realise that heading into another room means that creatures aren’t able to follow you, allowing some breathing room. Giving zombies the ability to not only sprint but to open doors, takes away that safety net and adds another layer of fear to an already tense situation. The first time this happens is different for every player, as it depends on exactly where you backtrack to first, but one thing we know for sure is that every player certainly remembers the experience!
VI. Knife fight with Krauser (Resident Evil 4 – 2009)
Perhaps an unexpected entry on the list, the knife fight between Leon and Krauser left a real impression on the VGN team. Ambushing Leon in the power plant, the player is treated to a stand off between the two men where action and story come in equal measure. We vividly remember being on the very edge of our seats as the slash-off between two twitchy ex-Special Ops members played out, trying to concentrate on the visuals and the story unfolding whilst waiting for Krauser to strike. Perhaps maligned for the use of Quicktime events, it’s impossible to understate how effective they were at building tension in what would otherwise have been a pretty standard cutscene..
V. Discovering Barry’s Secret (Resident Evil – 1996)
Playing through Resident Evil as Jill Valentine, Barry Burton becomes your safety blanket – arriving just when you need him to save your skin or give you some useful item or another. So it came as a shock when you found out he’d been working with Wesker the whole time, manipulating you in the hopes of getting you out of the way. As adults who understand plotlines a lot more clearly, we realise this isn’t half as surprising as on the first playthrough, but Barry pointing his magnum at you felt like the ultimate betrayal as younger gamers. The saving grace was learning that Barry had to do it all against his will to save his family, and seeing him knock Wesker out with his gun certainly didn’t hurt either.
IV. Arriving at the Derelict House (Resident Evil VII: Biohazard – 2017)
After years of focusing on heavy action and predictable jump scares, for Resident Evil VII: Biohazard, Capcom decided to not only throw the formula out of the window, but blow it to bits while it was still in the air. Everything was changed. There is only one character to control, it was set in a first person view – hell, even Roman numerals were adopted. For us, the most iconic moment is the introductory section itself. The opening cinematic sets up the story; Ethan’s wife Mia has gone missing, he’s received footage and sets off to find her. A driving sequence that pays a nice homage to The Shining is played out and you arrive at an abandoned house where players are given free reign to explore and get used to the new first-person view. Being a Resident Evil game, you’re constantly on your guard for a number of unholy beasties to rip your face off, especially as corridors are dimly lit and there is some questionable meat in the kitchen. As you explore, Capcom teases the big scare, your flashlight starts to flicker, or you fall off a ladder, but ultimately the fear is in your own head. Resident Evil VII is a masterclass of keeping you on edge. While the action eventually ramps up, the claustrophobic introduction really stands out as one of the best in the series.
III. Zombie Attack on the Loading Screen (Resident Evil 2 – 1998)
Everybody knew that when things got hairy in Resident Evil you could go through a door to the safety of the room beyond, with enemies unable to follow you. So imagine our surprise when zombies lurch through the door of a loading screen in Resident Evil 2 – in a Save Room, no less! Hot on the heels of crows bursting through the windows of the station, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Capcom might give you a few minutes before trying anything too outrageous, but you’d have been dead wrong. No one could foresee the introduction of a scare in the most unexpected place, and you’re then kept on edge as every other door swings open in case they pull the same trick again, adding to the tension of an already fantastic game.
II. Mr X Through the Wall (Resident Evil 2 – 1998, 2019)
Out of all of the pursuits we’ve suffered over the years, from Nemesis and his gatling gun, Crimson Heads bursting through doors and even the loading-screen-zombie, Mr X has had the most impact on the team. Dropped into RCPD by Umbrella, he is stalking the corridors, not far behind you. You can knock him down by ploughing a number of bullets into him, but he soon rises again after you’ve made your getaway. Our most memorable moment with the trenchcoat wearing tyrant comes just after completing a puzzle; as the final torch is lit, Mr X bursts through a wall completely unexpectedly and lunges for you. After taking him out, scooping up the item you were after and breathing a sigh of relief, Capcom pulls out another jump scare as he batters through another wall in quick succession. When we played this on the original PlayStation, it stuck with us. When we played the remake… Well, let’s just say even though we knew it was coming, we’re glad we wore our brown pants that day.
I. Dog Through The Window (Resident Evil – 1996, 2002)
For the second week in a row we have a unanimous decision at the top of the list, with the dog leaping through the window in the original Resident Evil voted by far the greatest moment in franchise history. Having loaded up the game and watched the hammy opening FMV, you’re asked to explore the Spencer Mansion for the very first time. Whilst the first couple of zombies are a little unsettling, they don’t do anything to frighten the player – that first legitimate scare is reserved for a few rooms later. Drew remembers literally dropping the controller with surprise when the dog burst through the glass! And running away only compounds the problem too, with another one jumping out in front of you, leaving you at the mercy of your mastery of tank controls not half an hour into the game. It was physically impossible to talk with another gamer about Resident Evil without them saying “that bit where the dog jumped through the window scared the crap out of me!”, making it the only choice to take the ‘Best Moment’ crown.
Honourable Mentions
- The streets of Raccoon City (Resident Evil 2 – 1998)
Where you spent the first Resident Evil exploring confined spaces, desperately trying to return to the outside world, Resident Evil 2 starts in a very different manner. You’re able to see first-hand the carnage that Umbrella Inc. has wrought upon Raccoon City, as you weave between burning cars, smouldering debris, and dodge burning zombies on your way to the R.P.D. Station. It’s a shocking scene that gives the impression of an entire city infested with zombies, giving the game a sense of scale that the original can’t compete with.
- Tyrant Battle on the Helipad (Resident Evil – 1996)
We touched on this in our last feature, where Tyrant also made it onto the Honourable Mentions section. Running around the helipad and being completely unable to harm Tyrant is incredibly tense on your first playthrough, and it’s a very cool moment when Brad finally drops you the rocket launcher so that you can blow him away and finish the game. If it wasn’t for some impassioned arguments for some of the other moments in the series, this would have definitely made the main list.
- Itchy… Tasty (Resident Evil – 1996)
If you say the phrase “Itchy….Tasty” to anyone who knows about Resident Evil, they will know exactly what you’re referring to. It’s a phrase used in the diary of a scientist working in the Spencer Mansion who has been infected by the T-Virus; he remains pretty coherent until he finally succumbs to Umbrella’s greatest creation. Throughout the journey into zombification, he chronicles the changes to his body before finally eating one of his co-workers. It’s a brutal and incredibly memorable read that makes the player think about the backstory as much as the gameplay.
Resident Evil – The Top VIII Enemies
To celebrate the release of Resident Evil Village this month, the team at VGamingNews are looking back at some of our favourite parts of the Resident Evil franchise, beginning with the most memorable aspect of the series – the enemies. Below are our rankings of the Top VIII Enemies in the Resident Evil franchise. Whether they made the list by being the most formidable, or simply the most iconic, these eight antagonists certainly left a lasting impression!
VIII. Giant Majini (Resident Evil 5 – 2009)
We’re kicking off the list with an enemy that’s perhaps a little out of left field. Not the most dangerous or memorable foe from the series, but certainly one of the most characterful, the Giant Majini adds some much needed African flair to Resident Evil 5. Super-sized majini, these mutated tribal leaders patrol the wetlands villages and worship areas, threatening Chris and Sheva with a huge bone club should they get too close. They’re most notable for their awesome gold masks that not only protect them from headshots, but make them a stand-out enemy in one of the most action-focused games in the series.
VII. Forest Speyer (Resident Evil – 1996)
Discovered on the balcony having been pecked to death by crows in the original Resident Evil, Forest isn’t a particularly formidable enemy but he’s certainly significant to the experience. The spooky lead-in and his Forrest’s bespoke character model makes this a pretty shocking moment on your first play-through, and sets the tone for how your search and rescue mission is going to go. Having your former S.T.A.R.S. teammate lurch back to life lets you know that you’re in for a grisly ride from there on in – no-one is safe and nothing is off limits.
VI. Lickers (Resident Evil 2 – 1998)
Some people will be unhappy we’ve placed Lickers so low on this list. During their first appearance in Resident Evil 2, they were horrifically gruesome wall crawlers that dropped down in front of Leon and Claire before swishing their tongues in that general direction. If one got you, there was no coming back. Unlike other enemies on this list, Lickers are slow enough for you to plot an escape. It’s only when you get up close and shoot at them do they react. Most of the time they’re on a wall or ceiling, which in our eyes is a pretty notable weakness. In the 2019 Resident Evil 2 remake, they retained much of their gory appearance and the size was adjusted to be more menacing. Are they iconic? Absolutely. Lickers have one of the best enemy designs in the series. Do they scare the bejesus out of you? Not so much.
V. “Bag Head” (Resident Evil 4 – 2005)
Dr Salvador, or as “Bag Head”, as he’s lovingly known in the VGN offices, was one of the earliest enemies that gave us a bad time in Resident Evil 4. When you hear the revving of a chainsaw throughout the game, you know you’re in for a bad time. Bag Head looks like a knock-off Leatherface, but he’s certainly formidable. Like all of the larger enemies in the series, his story is tragic.His face was used to host the Palaga virus, causing a massive mutation, so horrific, that his face was bagged. He’s understandably not too happy about this and takes his aggression out on poor Leon. If you get pinned into a small space, his bulk means he’s hard to manoeuvre around, and if that chainsaw makes contact then it’s the “You are dead” screen for you as he expertly separates Leon’s head from his body.
IV. Lisa Trevor (Resident Evil – 2002)
A new addition since PS1 original, the frightening yet tragic Lisa Trevor updated the tone of the GameCube remake entirely. After being injected with the Progenitor Virus as a child, she spent much of her life chained beneath the mansion, mourning the loss of her family. With superhuman strength and near impervious to damage, Lisa is a misunderstood but significant threat throughout the game, who can quickly bludgeon Chris or Jill to death with her shackles if you get too close. Inspired by the macabre style of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Lisa Trevor helped upgrade the B-Movie theatrics of the original into a legitimate horror blockbuster.
III. Mr X (Resident Evil 2 – 2019)
An absolute powerhouse, T-00, or Mr X as he’s known by fans, is a lumbering, fear factory. Dropped into the RPD station by Umbrella Inc. with a mission to eradicate any survivors, he’s relentless in pursuit of Claire and Leon in order to achieve his goal. Appearing when you least want him to, Mr X brings scares a plenty and just eats ammunition, putting you on edge as an ever present threat. We’d be remiss not to give a nod to his appearance in the original Resident Evil 2 ‘B’ missions, where him bursting through the wall came as a huge shock having not seen him at all in the ‘A’ missions. We’ve also got to appreciate the modding community out there who have given us some hilarious alternatives too (careful – there’s some strong language in the linked video).
II. Crimson Head (Resident Evil – 2002)
Joe vividly remembers the first encounter with Crimson Head. 2002 was a time where He’s learned the position of all the bumbling, groaning zombies infesting the original mansion, so taken aback by an unusual bloodied corpse on a set of stairs in the remake of Resident Evil released on the GameCube. After investigating it for a few moments, Joe shrugged off as a background change and proceeded through the door at the top. Little did he know that it wasn’t just an aesthetic change, but a new type of enemy; a zombie that could not only sprint after you, but open doors. There is little more terrifying than a zombie running at you full pelt having just passed through a door where you thought you’d be safe! What’s worse is that a Crimson Head was unrelenting – unless dealt with, he would chase Chris or Jill around until his head was removed or he consumed your flesh. A truly eject-your-bowels monster of the highest calibre.
I. Hunter (Resident Evil – 1996)
This decision was unanimous in the VGN office. Hunters are often forgotten as one of Resident Evil’s truly terrifying monsters, but they’ve been there from the very beginning. Spliced with reptile DNA, these creatures are fast, powerful and hard to handle one-on-one, let alone when facing two or three of them in a confined corridor. They are the series equivalent of the Xenomorph from Alien. Hunters take their time with you; they jump out when there’s little hope of escape and when they do, you better pray you have some shotgun shells as they can tear you apart in just a few hits. Much like the Xenomorph, a few variations of the menace have been found throughout the series; there’s the Gamma Hunter from Resi 3 and the Hunter B.O.W. found in Revelations, but we kept coming back to the OG entry that inhabits the Spencer Mansion for their methodical, impressive, and creative ways of causing you to throw your controller in rage and terror.
Honourable Mentions:
- Neptune (Resident Evil – 1996)
In rural America you can find reptiles, spiders and even snakes just by opening up your toilet bowl. But you’d be hard pushed to find a Great White shark in the bath. Somebody at Umbrella Inc. not only took the time to go into the ocean and catch one of the greatest hunters on the planet, but felt the need to infect it with the T-Virus too! They caught a shark to conduct horrific experiments on, in a pokey, unsecure mansion in the mountains. A shark.
- Tyrant (Resident Evil – 1996)
The final boss of the original Resident Evil, Tyrant is such a memorable enemy that he had to make this list in some capacity. With his enormous sickly-white frame, exposed heart and huge mutated claw-arm, Tyrant is easily the most horrific looking enemy in the original game, and the two encounters with him are fantastic. Watching him kill Albert Wesker before turning on you in the tank room, and the tense helipad finale are truly iconic moments that helped launch the franchise.
- Ooze (Resident Evil Revelations)
After years of action shooting, Capcom took Resident Evil Revelations on the Nintendo 3DS back to it’s horror roots. While they were at it, they binned off one of the series staples – the humble zombie and introduced creatures known as ‘Ooze’ as their default enemy. Sliming their way through the vents of the cruise ship and moving in an utterly inhuman way, the faceless suckers were uncomfortable to look at, required a different approach to attack them, and generally mixed up the formula for basic enemy number one.
Think we missed something, or don’t agree with where an enemy ranked? Let us know which enemies made your Top VIII in the comments section.
VGamingBargains: Nintendo Switch April 2021
With the UK on the verge of opening back up, if you’re anything like me, a lot of your budget will suddenly be assigned to frivolous purchases of elaborate restaurant food and alcohol. Lots of alcohol. Keeping that in mind, you might not have as much cash floating around for gaming as you’d normally like, so let us help you out by steering you on the best games to pick up for less than a tenner. Scratch the itch without breaking the bank – that’s our goal here, people!
As always, the games are split into three levels, based around their price points:
Level 1 – games in Level 1 cost between £7.50 and £10.00 and tend to be the larger titles available in our price range – they’ll take most of your budget here but offer the most full-game experience for a small amount of money
Level 2 – costing between £3.50 and £7.49, games at level 2 give you a little more flexibility on how to spend your money but might be a little shorter or perhaps a little older than games in the top level
Level 3 – rounding out the list are our cheapest games, from those that are absolutely free up to a cost of £3.49. These games tend to be made by independent developers and are often a shorter experience, but make no mistake – while they might only be a few hours long, the games in Level 3 still offer a lot of enjoyment – even better, you can mix-and-match a few for your money
VGamingBargains is a monthly feature, published near the start of each month to highlight a few good deals available on the eShop soon after each pay day. Keep an eye out for future editions and we’ll do our best to put you onto a couple of great games that won’t break the bank!
| Level | Title | Cost | On Sale Until |
| Level 1 | Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty | £8.99 | 14/04/21 |
| Cozy Grove | £9.89 | 14/04/21 | |
| Darkwood | £9.09 | 14/04/21 | |
| Level 2 | The Flame in the Flood | £3.74 | 13/04/21 |
| Crypt of the NecroDancer | £3.59 | 15/04/21 | |
| For the King | £6.79 | 13/04/21 | |
| Silence | £3.59 | 27/04/21 | |
| Level 3 | Flashback | £0.89 | 14/04/21 |
| Doom, Doom II & Doom 64 | £1.99 (each) | 15/04/21 | |
| Syberia 1 & 2 | £1.50 | 14/04/21 | |
| Quarantine Circular | £2.39 | 28/04/21 | |
| AER: Memories of Old | £1.79 | 27/04/21 |
Level 1
Shining atop our recommendations list this month is the fantastic Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty, a beautiful remake of the iconic 1997 PS1 platform-puzzler Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee. For those unfortunate enough to miss out on the original, you play as Abe, a friendly mudokon who works as a janitor at the Rupture Farms meat processing plant. Whilst performing his duties, he stumbles upon a plot hatched by the greedy Glukkon bosses to use mudokon meat in their upcoming line of tasty treats! Help Abe dodge whirling blades, outsmart gun-toting Sligs and outrun ancient beasts to lead his people to safety and overthrow the Glukkon overlords! All new graphics tart up what was already an attractive original, the puzzles and secrets are as fun to play as ever, and for players of the original, the nostalgia hit from playing this remake is too much to pass up.
For fans of Animal Crossing New Horizons, Cozy Grove offers a similar island-life experience but with a more story-driven focus. Having washed ashore on an unknown island, you play as Spirit Scout, a girl who must help the ghostly bear inhabitants of the island perform their final wishes, leading them into the afterlife and bringing colour back to the island. The game encourages you to play a little each day before encouraging you to log off and come back tomorrow, ensuring that your time isn’t as monopolised as it might be by Animal Crossing. Fish, harvest and collect strange items to learn wonderful tidbits of story about the spirits trapped on the island that are guaranteed to keep you coming back daily. With a beautiful, hand-drawn artstyle and a soothing soundtrack, Cozy Grove is a fantastic option for players who want something new that isn’t going to command hours and hours of time each day!
Just a quick Google search of the trailer for Darkwood will convince horror fans that this grisly top-down affair is a must-buy. Darkwood is a survival horror in the truest sense, requiring you to craft items, barter for goods and hide cowering in a corner as much as you have to fight your way through hordes of nameless horrors. Exploring the forest is a tense enough affair during the day, but at night it can be truly harrowing, with a truly palpable atmosphere permeating the game. There’s some Silent Hill-like visuals and a horribly eerie soundtrack that creates a fantastic horror experience that relies on genuinely frightening experience without resorting to cheap jump-scares.
Level 2
A very different survival experience headlines our Level 2 recommendations, with post-apocalyptic downstream explorer The Flame in the Flood currently on sale for less than a fiver. Play as Scout and her faithful dog-companion Aesop (or Daisy), and make your way across randomly generated islands, scavenging food and supplies in an attempt to keep yourself warm, dry and injury free. The art direction has a bleak, dystopian feel that matches the tone of the world perfectly but the soundtrack is what really brings the whole game to life with a final crescendo that provides an overwhelming sense of achievement. Fend of angry wildlife and trade with other disconcerting survivors in what is a grindingly difficult, but incredibly satisfying survival experience.
I have never been more bemused by the concept (or title!) of a game than when discovering Crypt of the NecroDancer, a rhythm roguelike where matching your actions to beat keeps your sword arm swinging! Take on the role of Cadence, daughter of a legendary treasure hunter who must search through randomly generated dungeons in the hopes of finding her missing dad. Battle your way deeper into the NecroDancers lair, upgrading your weapons and armour along the way, bouncing to an ever thumping soundtrack. This is a strange one, to be sure, but rhythm and/or roguelike fans should definitely give this one a whirl.
Also in Level 2 we have tactical-RPG-strategy For the King, where the adorably quaint art style belies the tough challenge the game poses. Following the death of the King, Chaos threatens to engulf the land – set off as a band of three adventurers on the Queen’s orders to keep the kingdom safe! Play alone or with up to two friends in either couch or online* co-op, and fight off evil in this fun, but punishing adventure board game. And rounding out Level 2 is the stunning point-and-click adventure, Silence, a pseudo-sequel to 2010 adventure The Whispered World. There’s no need to play the original, but you reprise the role of Noah, a boy who must help his sister, Renie, out of the land of Silence, a limbo between the worlds of life and death. Play this one in docked mode to really take in the wonderful environments and characters – it will not disappoint.
Level 3
Leading the line for Level 3 is a Flashback to a 1992 platformer that absolutely captivated me as a child. In 2142, having discovered a race of shapeshifting aliens that have infiltrated human society, intelligence agent Conrad Hart gets captured and has his memory erased. Escaping from his captors, you must help Conrad to escape the jungle and fight back against the aliens, all-the-while getting his memory back. Gameplay carries some heavy Prince of Persia vibes with action, platforming and puzzles found in equal measure. As it boasts animations that were groundbreaking for its time, rich environments and a compelling storyline, you’ll find nothing else more deserving of your 89 pence, I assure you!
Level 3 also holds a treasure trove of classic first-person shooters, with Doom, Doom II and Doom 64 all on sale for the bargain price of £1.99 each! What can we say about the Doom series that hasn’t been said before? As absolute pioneers of the genre, the series is, in my opinion, a must-play for nostalgia fans and gaming historians alike. Listen, it’s not going to be pretty, but we all know that graphics are not the be-all-and-end-all of gaming. Blast your way through swathes of monsters and demons, spurred on by a banging, and equally iconic soundtrack.
Other notable games for Level 3 include the double-pack of Syberia 1 & 2, graphic adventure games in the vein of Broken Sword. Help Kate Walker in her journey across Europe to unravel mysteries of an old family business and the consequences of her discoveries. £1.50 is a bargain for two Incredibly immersive games, with solid graphics and well-written scripts. Offering a very different flavour from any of the other recommendations is AER: Memories of Old, a relaxing exploration game set amongst the skies. Guide Auk, one of the few remaining shapeshifters, on a pilgrimage to the Land of the Gods, and enjoy soaring amongst the clouds in a distinctive and beautiful world. Arguably more of an interactive story than a true gaming experience, we’d recommend playing AER even if that’s not usually your cup of tea – who knows, it might open your eyes to something new. Last, but certainly not least, is conversation-text adventure Quarantine Circular. Control a group of scientists amidst a worldwide pandemic, and interrogate an alien lifeform in the hope of discovering it’s true intentions. Short but sweet, this one-sitting story certainly packs a punch, and fans of Subsurface Circular (recommended last month) should definitely check out this spiritual sequel.
*Game requires Online membership to play online
The recommendations made in this article do not come from any paid promotion and are solely influenced by our enjoyment of the games highlighted and their perceived value for money
Prices accurate at the time of publication
Average play times are sourced from HowLongToBeat
VGamingBargains: Nintendo Switch March 2021
So readers – let’s address the elephant in the room… the huge February Nintendo eShop sale that we didn’t cover…
I’m sorry. I built you up with a promise of glittering bargains galore and I didn’t deliver. I only hope you can forgive me, because below we do have such glittering bargains, albeit not as many as we could have had!
Let’s be honest – there were so many games in that last sale that any old schmuck could’ve put his hand on a winner! But not this time friends – I’ve scoured the eShop so you don’t have to, and pulled together a list of games worth throwing your pennies at. In a strange turn of events, and entirely by accident, Level 1 seems to be dominated by turn-based games, Level 2 by puzzlers, and Level 3 with more narrative games – check them all out below.
As always, the games are split into three levels, based around their price points:
Level 1 – games in Level 1 cost between £7.50 and £10.00 and tend to be the larger titles available in our price range – they’ll take most of your budget here but offer the most full-game experience for a small amount of money
Level 2 – costing between £3.50 and £7.49, games at level 2 give you a little more flexibility on how to spend your money but might be a little shorter or perhaps a little older than games in the top level
Level 3 – rounding out the list are our cheapest games, from those that are absolutely free up to a cost of £3.49. These games tend to be made by independent developers and are often a shorter experience, but make no mistake – while they might only be a few hours long, the games in Level 3 still offer a lot of enjoyment – even better, you can mix-and-match a few for your money
VGamingBargains is a monthly feature, published near the start of each month to highlight a few good deals available on the eShop soon after each pay day. Keep an eye out for future editions and we’ll do our best to put you onto a couple of great games that won’t break the bank!
| Level | Title | Cost | On Sale Until |
| Level 1 | One Way Heroics Plus | £9.44 | 10/03/21 |
| Here Be Dragons | £7.91 | 27/03/21 | |
| Level 2 | Evan’s Remains | £4.19 | 16/03/21 |
| Bridge Constructor: Portal | £5.39 | 24/03/21 | |
| Archaica: The Path of Light | £3.57 | 04/04/21 | |
| Level 3 | Goetia | £0.89 | 31/03/21 |
| My Brother Rabbit | £1.34 | 31/03/21 | |
| The Way | £0.89 | 28/03/21 | |
| In Between | £1.65 | 10/03/21 | |
| Subsurface Circular | £2.39 | 24/03/21 | |
| Lumo | £1.99 | 17/03/21 |
Level 1
Turn-based apocalyptic side-scrolling roguelike, One Way Heroics Plus, sprints onto the list and takes the highlight spot this month. In a universe being overrun by the darkness of the Demon Lord, you must outrun the perpetual wall of evil and defeat him in order to save the dimension. You’ll run through procedurally generated pixel art environments and slay hordes of RPG monsters, all-the-while having to stay ahead of the onrushing wall of darkness that’s consuming the world. You can use XP and Dimensional Gold Coins to level up your heroes between runs and progress to new worlds in need of your help. The learning curve will have you dying a lot early on before making some headway, but in a game chock-full of replay value, you’ll get plenty of hours for your money here, particularly if you’re a completionist. Much like the game, you’ll have to act fast to grab this one, as it’s only on sale until Weds 10/03/21!
Another turn-based affair rounds out Level 1, with the naval strategy romp Here Be Dragons coming in at a shaving under eight quid. Before the great Christopher Columbus could set sail to discover the Americas in 1492, the player must take charge of a ragtag group of crazy ship captains to clear the oceans of countless mystical menaces like the kraken, ghost ships and Leviathan. I can’t lead off this recommendation with anything other than the incredible art style, with Red Zero Games giving late-1400s exploration a quirky ‘living map’ feel and brings the monster to life with some awesome imagery. The well-rounded dice-based mechanics and tricky level design will offer you plenty of challenge for the price tag, and with some fun characters and dialogue thrown in, you’re definitely onto a winner.
Level 2
Physics-puzzler Bridge Constructor: Portal headlines Level 2, offering a peek into the dubious experiments conducted by the sadistic GLaDOS in the name of science. Use bridges, ramps, and towers to safely guide automatically moving vehicles across a myriad of real-physics obstacles before moving onto the next experiment. Fans of previous Bridge Constructor games will find all of their favourites here, with the added confusion of portals and other Aperture Laboratories inventions that require even more ‘out of the box’ thinking. The graphics are crisp and clean; a nice soundtrack and for Portal fans, Ellen McLain returns as the ever-dry voice of GLaDOS.
Evan’s Remains is a beautifully depicted platform puzzle game centring around the mystery disappearance of boy-genius, Evan. You play as Dysis, who must run and leap her way through platform-based riddles that rely on having on having a sharp mind rather than quick reactions or precise jumps. More mechanics are introduced every few levels, and eventually combined, to ease up the difficulty and keep you thinking. Although rather short, the nicely told story and the stunning pixel art make this one worth purchasing for fans of the genre, for sure.
The final game in Level 2 is Archaica: The Path of Light, an atmospheric puzzle game revolving around the use of light, crystals, and mirrors to solve ancient mysteries and save the world from disaster. The realms are beautifully crafted, and the puzzles offered are unique and well thought out. Puzzle fans looking for a quick fix should enjoy this one for only a few pounds.
Level 3
I’m not exaggerating when I say that The Way might be my favourite bargain that I’ve ever stumbled across – it’s an absolute masterpiece. For less money that a bottle of Pepsi, you can play through a stunning pixel art adventure that sees an explorer head to an alien world in search of a way to bring back his beloved, without whom he is crushed. Inspired by retro classics like Another World and Flashback, The Way has an immersive sci-fi setting and storyline, driven by rich locations and head-scratching puzzles. Can you solve the alien enigmas and revive your lover? You should most definitely spend 89 pence (!) to find out.
In Subsurface Circular you play as a robot stationed on an underground railway car in order to investigate the sudden disappearances of a number of working-class robots, and the threads of fate that lead to something more sinister. A revamp of old-school text-based games, you have to talk with other commuters and collect words; you then use these words as points of interest that allow you to broach new subjects with other people in order to progress the plot. It’s undoubtedly short, but for only a few pounds you get a really nicely constructed sci-fi-mystery, with some polished graphics, enjoyable riddles and an intriguing plotline.
Rounding up the offers we have In Between, a gravity-based puzzle-platformer set inside the mind of a man struggling with illness. It’s a thoughtful, and oftentimes bleak look, at struggle and self-belief with a physics-based mask on it – sound and graphics aren’t the main event here, but the thought-provoking monologue. Goetia is a point-and-click puzzler set inside the rotting mansion of a Victorian family, whose estate is haunted by Abigail Blackwood, the once-youngest member of the household, now risen from the grave. As Abigail you must float through walls and possess objects to interact with them, in order to solve the mysteries of your father’s estate.
Another point-and-click adventure, My Brother Rabbit, is conjured from the imagination of siblings going through a tough time together. As rabbit you must solve puzzles, find hidden objects, and play mini games to help your unwell friend recover, all set in a land of incredible landscapes and strange and fantastic characters. Beautifully drawn and with a wonderful soundtrack, this is a must for point-and-click fans. Last, but certainly not least we have Lumo, an isometric platformer that harkens back to classics such as Land Stalker, but with a vibrant, new coat of paint. After being sucked into a malfunctioning computer at a videogames expo, you must explore over 400 rooms, discover secrets, and even play a few mini games to escape! It’s only short, but old-school fans might want to try out this self-professed love letter to the ‘golden age of gaming’.
*Game requires Nintendo Switch Online membership to play online
The recommendations made in this article do not come from any paid promotion and are solely influenced by our enjoyment of the games highlighted and their perceived value for money
Prices accurate at the time of publication
VGamingBargains: PlayStation Indies Sale March 2021
We make no secret of loving indie games. Some of the best experiences in video games don’t have to be an all-out blockbuster, or a 1000-hour epic RPG. They can be short and sweet games, created by a team of a handful of people. In this VGamingBargains article, we’re taking a look at those independent games that are currently on sale on the PlayStation Store.
As always, the games are split into three levels, based around their price points:
Level 1 – games in Level 1 cost between £7.50 and £10.00 and tend to be the larger titles available in our price range – they’ll take most of your budget here but offer the most full-game experience for a small amount of money
Level 2 – costing between £3.50 and £7.49, games at level 2 give you a little more flexibility on how to spend your money but might be a little shorter or perhaps a little older than games in the top level
Level 3 – rounding out the list are our cheapest games, from those that are absolutely free up to a cost of £3.49. These games tend to be made by independent developers and are often a shorter experience, but make no mistake – while they might only be a few hours long, the games in Level 3 still offer a lot of enjoyment – even better, you can mix-and-match a few for your money.
| Level | Title | Cost | On Sale Until |
| Level 1 | Metal Wolf Chaos | £9.99 | 10/03/2021 |
| My Friend Pedro | £7.99 | 10/03/2021 | |
| Level 2 | The Complex | £7.49 | 10/03/2021 |
| Hollow Knight | £4.63 | 10/03/2021 | |
| Guacamelee! 2 Complete | £3.79 | 10/03/2021 | |
| EMMA: Lost in Memories | £3.24 | 10/03/2021 | |
| Level 3 | Broforce | £2.99 | 10/03/2021 |
| Donut County | £2.99 | 10/03/2021 | |
| Outlast | £2.32 | 10/03/2021 | |
| Goat Simulator | £1.99 | 10/03/2021 |
Special note: These are the sale prices for non-PS Plus members. If you have a PS Plus subscription, then some of these games could be cheaper.
Kicking off our level 1 games, we have Metal Wolf Chaos XD. Created by the Dark Souls team, FromSoftware, this third-person mech-shooter has you play as the President of the United States who has to stop a coup from his Vice President. Metal Wolf Chaos was released in Japan as an Xbox exclusive to help bolster sales of the original machine back in 2002 and after gaining a cult following, probably owing to the epic plot we’ve just outlined, it was remastered and localised for the western market in 2019. Yes, it does look a little rough around the edges but this is one silly, arcade style game that will give you some entertainment.
Speaking of silly games, we highly recommend checking out My Friend Pedro. This strange 2D shooter has you on a murderous rampage all thanks to your friend, Pedro, who just happens to be a banana. As you progress taking out mobsters in stylish Matrix inspired ways, you’re given a rank on how you do. It’s so bonkers, we’re finding it hard to describe and do it justice.
Headlining our recommendations for Level 2 is Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight. This is undoubtedly one of the finest 2D adventure titles we’ve played of the console generation, and with a sequel due at some point this year, there’s no better time to jump into the Gothic world of Hallownest. As Knight, you have to explore the world and stop it succumbing to ‘The Infection’. Tight platforming controls and epic boss battles pepper the land and it simply has to feature in any collection.
If you’re looking for a more colourful 2D adventure based on the world of Mexican wrestling, look no further than Guacamelee! 2 Complete. We once again step into the role of luchador Juan although he has grown out of shape since we last saw him. He has to once again don the mask of Tostada and become the saviour of the Mexiverse. The game is more combat focused than Hollow Knight which is why we’ve chosen to include similar genres in the list.
Next up we have The Complex, a live action video game where you follow the exploits of Dr Amy Tenant as she deals with a chemical attack being carried out in London. The decisions you make not only impact on how characters form bonds with you, but it will also lead to one of eight different endings.
Rounding out the list we have EMMA: Lost in Memories, a 2D puzzle platformer that requires strategy and cunning to navigate the world as everything you touch starts to disappear. It’s a clever platforming game that can get frustrating, however the visuals just ooze charm.
Donut County is an absolute must buy. It’s as simple as that. You play as a hole controlled by a raccoon that has managed to confuse selling doughnuts with reallocating townsfolk involuntarily into the ever growing hole. Donut County doesn’t require much thought in how to progress but still packs in a hilarious story. The game has a brutally short playtime – only a couple of hours, but it still manages to pack in a solid plot with good character development and there are secrets to find throughout the game’s locations..
Next we have Broforce, a run and gun game full of puns and the macho-ness of 1980s action films. You play as one of many ‘Bros’ such as; Rambro, Conan the Brobarian and Brochette. They are tasked with the liberation of the world’s countries, whether they want it or not. Expect American flags, shredding guitars and explosions galore, but despite all of the over the top action, there lies a game that’s surprisingly addictive and a joy to play.
Goat Simulator took the world by storm when it was released in 2014. The game riffs off classic skateboarding sim, combined with an over the top physics engine that comes together in a crazy sandbox experience where the aim is to cause as much destruction and mayhem as possible. Finally, if you’re looking for something a little more mature, you can’t go wrong with Outlast. This first-person horror game has you exploring an insane asylum trying to find out the secrets of a shady company that has been conducting gruesome experiments.
If that wasn’t enough for you, we have a bonus shout out this month. The PlayStation Store is host to the “Instant Indie Collections” volumes that contain 3 games apiece. Each bundle is currently discounted by an insane amount. We could’ve made our list on these games alone, and I’ve gone on long enough already but if your budget is super tight then you can’t go wrong with one of these bundles.
Instant Indie Collection Volume 1 – £1.79 includes:
- Stealth Inc 2
- Thomas Was Alone
- The Swapper
Instant Indie Collection Volume 2 – £1.99
- The Swindle
- Nova-111
- Pumped BMX +
Instant Indie Collection Volume 3 – £1.99
- Action Henk
- Stikbold!
- 10 Second Ninja X
Instant Indie Collection Volume 4 – £2.49
- Dear Esther: Landmark Edition for PS4
- Hue for PS4 and PS Vita
- The Flame in the Flood: Complete Edition for PS4
Instant Indie Collection Volume 5 – £2.19
- Human: Fall Flat for PS4
- Manual Samuel for PS4
- The Little Acre for PS4
The recommendations made in this article do not come from any paid promotion and are solely influenced by our enjoyment of the games highlighted and their perceived value for money. Prices accurate at the time of publication. Average play times are sourced from HowLongToBeat or our own personal experiences.
Sony’s State Of Play Presentation 25th February 2021
Sony hosted another State of Play digital presentation on 25th February to give information on up and coming titles for both PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4. Here’s how the event went.
Crash Bandicoot 4 About Time
Crash Bandicoot 4 About Time kicked off the show with updates compared to the PS4 version. The game includes native 4K/60FPS upgrades and heptic feedback and you can transfer your save file over from the previous game. Free upgrade to PS5 version if you have the PS4 game.
Returnal
Returnal was shown off ahead of it’s 30th April release date. The interesting mechanic of this third person shooter is that every time you die, the world and its environments will change & enemies will regenerate in different places and even different amounts. Collecting upgrades is essential but will constantly change your play style.
Knockout City
Knockout City was announced last week, but we have a PlayStation Beta next week as well as the announcement of 1v1 dodgeball action.
Sifu
Sifu is a new kung-fu brawler coming to the PS5. Developed by Sloclap, the independent studio behind Absolver. Play as a young Kung-Fu student on his path of revenge throughout the city. We’re keeping our eye on this one.
Solar Ash
Solar Ash shows off gameplay for the first time. It is shaping up to be a fluid third person platformer. Combat has been crafted so it doesn’t hinder your flow and it looks to be sliky smooth from the trailer below. Coming to PS4 & PS5 later in the year. Players take on the role of a Voidrunner named Rei who traverses through the biomes in hopes of saving her home world from the Ultravoid, a massive black hole that swallows entire worlds.
Five Nights At Freddy’s Security Breach
Five Nights At Freddy’s Security Breach announced for both the PS4 & PS5. The colourful survival horror comes out at some point in 2021.
Oddworld Soulstorm
Oddworld Soulstorm is out on 6th April and utilises the heptic feedback in the Dualsense controller so you can feel Abe’s heartbeat when he gets into sticky situations. If you buy it on PS4, and are a PS Plus subscriber, you get the PS5 version for free.
Kena Bridge of Spirits
Kena Bridge of Spirits looks lovely. Is now coming to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on 24th August.
Deathloop
Deathloop has a shiny new trailer and a James Bond 007 esq theme song. No confirmed release date.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade comes to PS5. Free upgrade for PS4 players as well as a chapter focusing on Yuffie. There are the usual visual and frame rate upgrades, a new Normal (Classic) difficulty and a photo mode. It’s coming out 10th June 2021.
Nintendo Direct February 2021 Round Up
September 2019 was the last full Nintendo Direct from the Mario makers. On the 17th February 2021, that all changed when a 50 minute direct went live.
Here is how the action unfolded.
Pyra from Xenoblade Chronicles 2 joins Smash Bros Ultimate
Fall Guys Ultimate comes to Switch in the summer
Outer Wilds – 22 minutes to save the universe is coming in summer.
Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir & Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind have been remade and localised for the first time.
Samurai Warriors 5 comes to Switch. PS4 & Xbox One versions have also been confirmed with a full reveal scheduled for 25th February.
Legend of Mana is getting a rerelease on 24th June. This is the first time the game has been released in Europe.
Monster Hunter Rise footage shown off. Still coming to Nintendo Switch on 26th March 2021, with a limited edition Switch and Pro Controller.
Mario Golf Super Rush is coming to Switch on 25th June. Includes motion controls and Speed golf mode where you all smash through a game of golf as quickly as possible. Includes a Mii (remember those) RPG mode.
Tales from the Borderlands is back from the dead! Out now for other consoles, comes to Nintendo Switch 24th March.
Capcom’s Arcade Stadium comes out today
Stubbs the Zombie – Rebel Without A Pulse comes to Nintendo Switch in March
No More Heroes 3 brings aliens to Nintendo Switch on 27th August.
Hades gets a physical release in March. Comes with a download code for the original soundtrack and a lovely art book.
Neon White, a new game from Annapurna Interactive & the team behind Donut County brings demon slaying to Switch in Winter 2021.
DC Super hero Girls: Teen Power coming exclusively to Switch on 4th June
Plants vs Zombies Battle for Neighborville coming 19th March
Miitopia makes a return. Updated for Switch with HD graphics and a long overdue update to Mii customisations.
Animal Crossing New Horizons will get an update next week with Mario themed items arriving from 1st March.
Project Triangle Strategy is a strategy RPG from the team behind Octopath Traveler. Coming in 2022. A demo is available now.
Star Wars Hunters is a free to play third person shooter coming to Switch at some point this year.
Knockout City brings online extreme dodgeball to the Switch on 21st May.
World’s End Club, a new visual novel with platforming elements is coming to Switch on 28th May
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 1 & 2 and Ninja Gaiden 3 coming as a Master Collection coming to Switch in June!
Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity gets an expansion pass.
Bravely Default 2 has one last trailer before it is released.
Ghost ‘N Goblins Resurrected coming to switch on 25th Feb with new co-op play
SaGa Frontier Remastered coming in 15th April.
Apex Legends coming to Switch for free. Includes cross platform play and double XP for the first two weeks, coming March 9th.
Skyward Sword HD is coming to Switch. As well as the HD upgrade, you can use the Joy con as your sword and shield, or with button controls. Sword movement will be attached to the right analogue stick. Limited edition Joy con will be coming too. Both will launch on 14th July.
Splatoon 3 is coming to Switch next year. Features small fry “little buddy”, more maps, new weapons and a crab type robot weapon. We. Cannot. Wait.
VGamingBargains – Nintendo Switch – February 2021 Sale
Okay folks, we’ve had another pay day but COVID still has a strange-hold on a lot of jobs and money still isn’t coming easy to a lot of people – cue another edition of VGamingBargains for Nintendo Switch!
Unfortunately it’s rather slim pickings on the Nintendo eShop right now – but we made a promise to offer you some top-end, low-cost gaming every month and, dammit, that’s what we’re gonna do! We’ve had to stretch the limit *just* over our usual £10.00 maximum to squeeze some Level 1 games in, but believe us – they’re worth the extra few pennies, we promise!
As always, the games are split into three levels, based around their price points:
Level 1 – games in Level 1 cost between £7.50 and £10.00 and tend to be the larger titles available in our price range – they’ll take most of your budget here but offer the most full-game experience for a small amount of money
Level 2 – costing between £3.50 and £7.49, games at level 2 give you a little more flexibility on how to spend your money but might be a little shorter or perhaps a little older than games in the top level
Level 3 – rounding out the list are our cheapest games, from those that are absolutely free up to a cost of £3.49. These games tend to be made by independent developers and are often a shorter experience, but make no mistake – while they might only be a few hours long, the games in Level 3 still offer a lot of enjoyment – even better, you can mix-and-match a few for your money
VGamingBargains is a monthly feature, published near the start of each month to highlight a few good deals available on the eShop soon after each pay day. Keep an eye out for future editions and we’ll do our best to put you onto a couple of great games that won’t break the bank!
| Level | Title | Cost | On Sale Until |
| Level 1 | Resident Evil | £10.39 | 11/02/21 |
| UnderHero | £9.17 | 28/02/21 | |
| Level 2 | Deponia | £3.59 | 27/02/21 |
| Frost | £3.50 | 28/02/21 | |
| Level 3 | Deponia Doomsday | £1.79 | 27/02/21 |
| Chaos on Deponia | £1.79 | 27/02/21 | |
| Figment | £3.41 | 10/02/21 | |
| Mana Spark | £0.89 | 07/02/21 | |
| Ovivo | £2.13 | 14/02/21 |
Level 1
A doozy of a game headlines the list; the granddaddy of all survival horrors, Resident Evil is on sale at just over a tenner. This port of the GameCube remake has had a couple of modernisations strong-armed in, but remains a faithful replaying of the most atmospheric game in the franchise until Resident Evil 7: Biohazard stole the crown some 15 years later. You play as special forces members Jill Valentine or Chris Redfield, separated from your teammates and trapped in a literal house of horrors filled with zombies and other frightful monsters. Blast your way through the undead horde and uncover the mysteries of the Spencer Mansion where not everything is as it seems. With wonderfully grimy visuals paired with a great score, you’ll be kept on edge between some great surprises. The archaic controls might fluster some new players, but if you’re a fan of the series then I urge you to persevere – you HAVE to see where it all started.
Kicking off where most RPG’s finish – with the hero marching through the big baddies castle – UnderHero is a side-scrolling turn-based RPG where you play as one of the faceless minions instead of the shining hero! The story here is really out of the ordinary and you won’t be able to help but keep playing just to see what ridiculousness is coming next! Charged with returning the three magical doodads that opened the castle to their rightful hiding places, the late hero’s talking sword convinces you to break away from your evil master and become a hero. Travel through loud, colourful, and wonderfully detailed environments, set to a great soundtrack, and enjoy turn-based combat inspired by Paper Mario and witty writing reminiscent of Undertale. High praise indeed but entirely warranted.
Level 2
Frost is a deck building, single-player strategy card game where you act as the leader of a group of nomads eking out a living in a frozen wasteland. You’re tasked with managing your tribe’s resources, such as food, weapons, and materials, whilst outrunning a lethal ice storm known as the Frost, in the hopes of reaching the legendary Refuge – a haven from the storm. You’ll have to overcome the environment, enemies and your own fatigue, and combine your resources to upgrade your tribesmen in order to succeed, and you definitely have to weigh the odds of every action before committing to anything. With its minimalist graphics and eerie soundtrack, Frost is a fun single-player experience with a great pick-up-and-play style that’s certainly worth the price of a latte.
Here’s hoping that you took our advice from the last column when we told you to pick up Goodbye Deponia for the bargain price of £1.79, because the rest of the series is now on sale! Set on the junk planet of Deponia, you play as Rufus, a crotchety bottom-dweller attempting to secure a life for himself on the upper world of the super-rich, Elysium, and then the tales beyond. Beautifully drawn and hilarious point-and-click adventures, filled with quirky characters, wacky locations and some great voice-acting – it’s a series not to be missed.
We’ve got the first in the franchise, Deponia, in Level 2 for £3.59, and the second and fourth instalments, Chaos on Deponia and Deponia Doomsday for £1.79 each in Level 3. That means you’ll have the entire series (assuming you for the third part, Goodbye Deponia, as recommend in January) for £8.96 – not bad for some-30 hours of gameplay!
Level 3
Figment is an artistic adventure set inside the traumatised mind of the protagonist, Dusty, who along with his companion, Piper, must unpick the puzzles in his psyche in order to heal. Everything is painted with a surreal, dreamlike brush where nothing quite makes sense, and utterly weird locations and characters greet you at every turn. Cleverly designed, you’ll explore the rigid, clockwork structure of Dusty’s logical mind and the more fantastical elements of his creative thinking, uncovering more about yourself as you go. As you might expect with the games setting, there’s some thought-provoking, and perhaps dark, subject matter at times, but there’s enough playful visuals and puzzles to ensure it never gets too bleak.
Rounding out our recommendations we have another pixel art roguelike in Mana Spark. Procedurally generated levels mix up your experience and a well-rounded combat system asks you to battle through some interesting intelligent enemies who will collaborate to try and kill you, as you attempt to rescue your fellow villagers from a group of orcs. I mean, what else are you going to spend 89 pence on in 2021? And finally we have OVIVO, a physics platformer set in a beautiful monochrome world with a story is steeped in metaphor and ambiguity. Take control of OVO and manipulate gravity to navigate folklore-inspired murals set to a wonderful soundtrack – a feast for the eyes and ears, to be sure! And if you’re not sure it’s worth your money, you can always try the demo and see what you think too.
*Game requires Nintendo Switch Online membership to play online
The recommendations made in this article do not come from any paid promotion and are solely influenced by our enjoyment of the games highlighted and their perceived value for money
Prices accurate at the time of publication
VGamingBargains: PlayStation “Games Under £16” Sale – January 2021
Sony have unleashed their “Games Under £16” sale which runs until 3rd February 2021. At VGamingNews, we know that money can be tight and while you can get some great games at around the £16 mark, we’re going to be looking at the games you can get for under a tenner.
Just like our previous VGamingBargains article, the games are split into three levels, based around their price points:
Level 1 – games in Level 1 cost between £7.50 and £10.00 and tend to be the larger titles available in our price range – they’ll take most of your budget here but offer the most full-game experience for a small amount of money
Level 2 – costing between £3.50 and £7.49, games at level 2 give you a little more flexibility on how to spend your money but might be a little shorter or perhaps a little older than games in the top level
Level 3 – rounding out the list are our cheapest games, from those that are absolutely free up to a cost of £3.49. These games tend to be made by independent developers and are often a shorter experience, but make no mistake – while they might only be a few hours long, the games in Level 3 still offer a lot of enjoyment – even better, you can mix-and-match a few to get the most out of your money
Here are our picks:
| Level | Title | Cost | On Sale Until |
| Level 1 | Assassin’s Creed Origins | £9.99 | 03/02/2021 |
| Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus | £9.89 | 03/02/2021 | |
| Borderlands GOTY Edition | £8.24 | 03/02/2021 | |
| Level 2 | Persona 5 | £7.49 | 03/02/2021 |
| Doom VFR | £5.99 | 03/02/2021 | |
| Dragon Age Inquisition GOTY Edition | £5.74 | 03/02/2021 | |
| Little Nightmares | £3.99 | 03/02/2021 | |
| Resident Evil | £3.99 | 03/02/2021 | |
| Yakuza Zero | £3.99 | 03/02/2021 | |
| Level 3 | Mirror’s Edge Catalyst | £3.05 | 03/02/2021 |
| INDIE BUNDLE: Shiness and Seasons after Fall | £2.99 | 03/02/2021 | |
| The Little Acre | £1.99 | 03/02/2021 | |
| Hue | £1.79 | 03/02/2021 |
Level 1
After taking 2 years off after the disappointment that was AC Syndicate, Assassin’s Creed Origins burst onto the scene to revitalise the franchise. Set in Egypt, the game mixed up the gameplay mechanics to give a fresh new feel to the game. Combat was redesigned to be less button-mashy and more methodical. Experience points for missions were also introduced so you could level up your character via a skill tree system. All in all, Ubisoft gave the series a new lease of life. While they may be slipping back into the annual release schedule with the series, Origins is one to check out if you’re either new to the series or gave up after AC III.
We thought long and hard about including two first person shooters in this category, however both Borderlands Game of the Year Edition and Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus deserve attention. Wolfenstein is what you would expect from id Software, a brutal shooter which dresses up a thinly veiled story of saving America from Nazis as an excuse to shoot people and blow stuff up. Even if you’re the not the best at this type of game, there is still enjoyment to be had. Borderlands Game of the Year Edition is a RPG/looter that is dressed up as a first person shooting game. You play as a vault hunter on the lookout for whatever loot you can get your hands on to make money. The open world setting is full of humour and a variety of things to do, other than shooting and is a decent length for the price.
Level 2
Yakuza 3, 4 & 5 are £7.99 each and would’ve made the list, however, we’ve plumped for Yakuza Zero as it is A) cheaper, and B) is chronologically first in the series. You star as Kiryu, a member of the Yakuza, who is accused of murder and you set about clearing your name. To define what genre Yakuza Zero fits into is difficult as there’s so much to it. It’s not fully open world, but you are given large portions of Japanese cities to explore. The combat is action based, but there’s an element of a RPG thrown into the mix as you learn new skills. That’s just the main game, the side missions and games you can unlock range from helping an old lady find her cat, or you could spend hours in the Sega arcades playing full versions of arcade classics such as; Super Hang-On, Out Run, & Fantasy Zone. If you haven’t experienced the insanity and brilliance of the Yakuza series, and you want something to absorb you for 50+ hours, Yakuza Zero is your starting point.
With the hubbub surrounding Resident Evil Village, we thought it best to highlight the game that started it all. The first Resident Evil has suspense, horror, puzzles and the immortal line “Barry. Where is Barry?”. If you’ve not played any Resi Evil games, this is where you should start. The control scheme on the original PS1 game wasn’t great and while the PS4 RE: Make improves them slightly, they’re still a product of their time so stick with it.
Persona 5 & Little Nightmares also have sequels and spin-offs coming out imminently, which is convenient as the originals are on sale. Persona 5 is the best entry in the RPG series and some are even arguing over if it is one of the best RPG ever. While that discussion will never be settled, we do think that now is the perfect time to jump in. With it’s lengthy story you won’t be short of things to do. You don’t need to have played any of the other games in the series. Little Nightmares couldn’t be more different. The smaller, horror inspired puzzle game puts you in the shoes of Six, a little girl who wants to escape the nightmarish dream world of The Maw. It’s relatively short but is one of those indie games that packs in a good story.
We wanted to slip at least one VR game in the list and when we saw DOOM VFR, it was a no brainer. A semi-sequel to id Software‘s Doom 2016 reboot, the VFR version puts you up close and personal with demons. Movement is restricted to teleportation (otherwise motion sickness would creep in), but it’s as violent and bloody as any other Doom game. If there’s one experience in VR we’d recommend, this is definitely it. Finally in Level 2, we have Dragon Age Inquisition: GOTY edition. The wait for the next game in BioWare‘s RPG series is a long way off, but if you start Inquisition now, you might be done for the release. Ok, it’s a bit of an exaggeration but for £5.74 for the game and all of the accompanying DLC, it’s 100 hours at a brisk pace. That is a lot of game for your money.
Level 3
All of our Level 3 games come to a total of £9.82. That’s 5 games and change from a £10 note. With this you get some serious value for money. Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst is a first-person, parkour inspired, futuristic adventure game that gives you around 8 hours play time. The game is a reboot/prequel/sequel to the original PS3 game, but you don’t need to have played the first one enjoy this. You play as Faith, a rebellious and anti-government Runner, who delivers whatever is needed to the various revolutionary factions. This often requires breaking into places and stealing information, without getting caught. In the original, you were confined to linear levels and clunky controls. In Catalyst, the levels are more open and the controls have been tightened up. EA DICE also decided to remove all weapon uses to speed up play. Upon release it was overshadowed by a small game called Overwatch, but we think it’s worth a go at this price, just for the uniqueness of the game.
We couldn’t resist the cuteness overload that is the Indie Bundle: Shiness and Seasons after Fall. You get two games in one and a lot of play time. Shiness: The Lightning Kingdom is an action RPG staring cat-like anhomomorphic creatures led by Chado. It’s typical save-the-world type fare and can quite easily be compared to Xenoblade Chronicles or Final Fantasy XII, however it does have a major twist in it’s favour, one-on-one combat is presented like a 2D fighter. Currently the game is £2.39 on it’s own and with an average playtime of 16 hours, you are definitely getting value, however we’ve chosen the bundle as you’ll also get Seasons after Fall. This 6 hour long 2D platformer puts you in the place of a magical fox who has the power to change seasons. It’s beautifully designed and the soundtrack by a live string quartet means it’s one of those titles you have to experience.
The Little Acre and Hue are on the smaller side offering a few hours of game time but they are worth a punt if you’re in the market. Hue is a puzzle-adventure game where you navigate dangerous obstacles in order to find your mum. The world is black and white, although you do have the power to change the background into different colours in order to make objects appear and disappear in order to solve puzzles. The Little Acre is a cute point and click game that sends you to 1950s Ireland looking for your father. Beautiful art work and challenging puzzles make this one to consider, despite it being over just as it gets going.
These are just our top picks. Sony’s sale has a wide selection of games that we’ve not been able to cover. If we did, this would be ready to post after the sale had ended. What have you found during your bargain hunting? Let us know!
The recommendations made in this article do not come from any paid promotion and are solely influenced by our enjoyment of the games highlighted and their perceived value for money. Prices accurate at the time of publication. Information surrounding game times is pulled from How Long To Beat.
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