Review Round-Up - April 2021

Rising to the occasion in a big way, Monster Hunter Rise definitely delivered,
 earning Game of the Month honors here at SuperPhillip Central.

An April shower of reviews--eight to be exact--brings May flowers! That's how the saying goes, right? Or something similar to that, at any rate! It's the conclusion of another month, so before we make the march into May, let's review the month of reviews for SuperPhillip Central that was April 2021!

Beginning with some family-friendly fare, we joined Ty the Tasmanian Tiger's Bush Rescue team for the remaster of a 2004 game with Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue HD. It received a C+ grade. Then, we took to the starting line and raced with Nickelodeon's all-star lineup of colorful characters with Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix, speeding through the slime to get a satisfying C grade. 

We then went cheep--er, cheap, with an ultra-affordable Nintendo eShop game more than worth its one dollar price of admission, Toree 3D, a 3D speed-running platformer with some out-of-place spoopy elements. The game earned a solid B. From 3D platforming to 2.5D platforming, we then took a look at Stitchy in Tooki Trouble, a pretty short and unoriginal game, but also a somewhat enjoyable one, receiving a C+ grade.

We then moved from consoles to mobile with SuperPhillip Central's first ever assortment of Apple Arcade reviews, starting at the tee with Clap Hanz Golf, from the makers of the Everybody's Golf series. The game birdied for a great B grade. The other Apple Arcade exclusive reviewed this month was Way of the Turtle, a side-scrolling 2.5D Metroidvania. It was a shell of a time, getting a B-. More Apple Arcade reviews and content will be forthcoming here at SPC in the coming months.

Concluding the month of reviews in April were two extremes. Effie, specifically the poorly performing Nintendo Switch port, received the lowest score of the month, a C-, while Monster Hunter Rise rightfully earned an A grade and Game of the Month honors here at SuperPhillip Central.

It was a surprisingly busy month of reviews here at SPC, full of variety and good games. Let's continue the momentum as SPC heads towards its 1,000th review, which we're just eight reviews away from at the time of this post. To see all previous reviews ever posted on this site, check out the SPC Review Archive. Finally, for your convenience, here are links and excerpts from all eight reviews published this past month. Until next month, we'll catch you later, Review Round-Up!

Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue HD (NSW) - C+

...Even as someone who didn't play the original games when they released but has a fond remembrance for games of this era, Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2: Bush Rescue HD serves as a nostalgic trip for me. The platforming and level design are overall solid, as are the touched-up visuals. Everything else involved with the design? Well, that's better left in 2004. Still, I don't regret having Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 2 take up 15 hours of my time. It was a worthwhile game to play, despite my many misgivings with Ty's not-so-ripsnorting sequel. 

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC) - C

Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix doesn't necessarily finish at first place on the podium, but it also doesn't necessarily limp across the finish line on fumes, either. I appreciated the improved presentation (lack of character voices and familiar music aside) and increased number of shows and characters included in the game, whether they be playable, chief and crew members, or track designs. Better balancing of the harder Grand Prix speeds would have made for a higher level of enjoyment, as I don't know what kind of kid would not rage at the nonsense that happens during these races when a grown adult almost does, but overall, Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix 2 is good slime--er, time. Lack of originality and balancing, notwithstanding.

Toree 3D (NSW) - B

Toree 3D more than justifies its dollar price tag, offering well executed 3D platforming and engaging levels that encourage repeated play-throughs to attempt to aim for those coveted "A" ranks (though leaderboards, even offline ones, would have been appreciated). This is a game that is perfect to pick up and play, put down, and then come back to now and again. It's a beauty to look at, it runs well, and it even has some cool, light spooky elements as well, though these seem to clash with the style of the game ultimately. Still, if you're up for a quick, bite-sized 3D platformer, have a dollar or some Gold Points to spare, then you should definitely download Toree 3D.

Stitchy in Tooki Trouble (NSW) - C+

Despite my brief and breezy time with Stitchy in Tooki Trouble, I did find myself enjoying the game. There are some well executed ideas and concepts presented in Polygoat's title, and it looks and sounds pleasant as well. Veterans of the platforming genre won't find themselves tested too terribly much from Stitchy's adventure, aside from perhaps certain time trials, and the short length of the game is another glaring issue that might make a purchase less than ideal. For everyone else, there is a lot to like about Stitchy in Tooki Trouble.

Clap Hanz Golf (iOS) - B

Between the over 20 characters to join your golfing team, 6+ themed courses taking place in locales like New York City's Central Park or the Egyptian pyramids, and hours upon hours of thrilling golf gameplay, Clap Hanz's first foray into self-publishing is a great success. While the swing system takes a lot of getting used to, as it has a somewhat steep learning curve, the overall difficulty of the game isn't that high that it creates a ton of frustration. Sure, I wanted to curse the golf gods when yet another shot of mine went off track or I missed a simple putt, but ultimately, I kept plugging and putting away, enjoying myself with Clap Hanz Golf. 

Way of the Turtle (iOS) - B-

Currently, with what is available in Way of the Turtle feels like a complete title gameplay and length-wise, just with a sudden cliffhanger that left me wanting more. That's a good thing--the "left me wanting more" part, as it shows that I did enjoy my time with the game. Inconsistent touch controls, occasionally poor camera angles, and an unhelpful, undetailed map are issues with the game, but on the whole, Way of the Turtle gets from me a recommendation like a turtle's shell: a solid one!

Effie (NSW) - C-

Sadly, while Ellie is most likely a thoroughly enjoyable, if not short, adventure on other platforms, it simply is not that enjoyable on the Switch. The game is simply put, a technical mess in need of some serious fixing in the frame-rate and the bug department. It's wholly unpolished, which sadly is far too common an occurrence when it comes to ports from other platforms to the Switch. I do recommend Ellie--but with a HUGE caveat that it be for platforms other than the Switch, because what's here is just not worth it. It's a real shame, too, as I genuinely had fun playing Ellie on the Switch despite this port's problems.

Monster Hunter Rise (NSW) - A

All in all, Monster Hunter Rise definitely has risen to the occasion for this player. After so many unsuccessful attempts to fully breach into the series' intimidating defenses, I finally got through with Rise. With its magnificent new mobility options with both Palamutes and to a much greater extent, the Wirebug, I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back to previous Monster Hunter games with the same level of enjoyment. They may just feel like tremendous regressions instead. Regardless, Rampages, wyvern riding, online hunts, expansive maps with not a loading screen in sight, and a robust arsenal of engaging weaponry makes Monster Hunter Rise more than just my favorite Monster Hunter game yet--it's also one of my favorite games of 2021 so far.

Clap Hanz Golf was one of two Apple Arcade exclusives covered
by SuperPhillip Central in review form this past month.

Way of the Turtle (iOS) Review

I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more Apple Arcade exclusive goodness! After Sunday's first Apple Arcade game review, Clap Hanz Golf, SPC changes genres to a platformer of the Metroidvania variety: Way of the Turtle. Is the way of the turtle one you should follow? Let's find out with the SPC review.

 A shell-shockingly fun Metroidvania on Apple Arcade

There are all kinds of turtles in the world. Some are cool, such as your Galapagos turtles or your Teenage Mutant Ninja variety of turtles, and some are not so reputable, like Mitch McConnell, for instance. The pair of turtles that star in Illusion Labs' Way of the Turtle, a 2.5D Metroidvania game exclusive to Apple Arcade, rests firmly in their shells in the "cute" category, being a pair of lovebirds, er.... love "turtles" in this case. 

When the two find themselves shipwrecked and separated on an island teeming with gopher life (among several unfriendly faces not of the gopher persuasion), it's up to the two of them to not only reunite but to find a way off the island. This answer to a "way off the island" presents itself when the two reunite early in the game at a village filled with gophers, and the gopher chief informs them that he will help them off the island but only if they take care of the volcano threatening to erupt. 

In order to access the volcano and discover the way to save the gophers and their island from impending doom, our turtle heroes must open the gate by hitting three different switches. Unfortunately for them, this means journeying around the island looking for the abilities needed to reach them. Fortunately for us, as players of Way of the Turtle, this is a shell of a good time... for the most part.

Way of the Turtle is a unique Metroidvania. By virtue of being on mobile, your turtle is always on the move with the only way of stopping them is to have them hide in their shell. Swipes left and right on the touch screen change their direction as they move, but I found that a controller was my preferred way to play. Not only did it give me a greater degree of accuracy and precision, but also lesser bouts of annoyance and frustration stemming from touch inputs not registering properly, such as having swipes be read as presses. Thus, instead of changing directions, my turtle would leap into the air accidentally. 

Both turtles have the same base abilities, so it's more an aesthetic choice of which turtle to choose.
You can switch between turtles on the fly at specific points in the game world.

Another key thing that makes this Metroidvania unique is that Way of the Turtle plays out in 2.5D environments, where paths circle around one another and shift perspectives often. Rather than always being a straight-up side-scroller, the camera occasionally looks over your turtle's shoulder at an angle. The camera isn't always optimal, as foreground objects can and will sometimes obscure enemies and hazards, such as spikes and bottomless chasms. Fortunately, taking damage, or worse, dying, aren't penalized severely. There is always a checkpoint nearby to regain your bearings and continue from.

These retracting spiked walls really know how to get to the point!

Speaking of these checkpoints, these shell totems of sorts serve not only as places to return to upon death and to save progress, but they also allow you to switch shells on the fly. There are three different shell types in Way of the Turtle, and each possesses a different power/ability. The blue shell allows our turtle heroes to hide inside their shells, perfect for staying in one place when it's absolutely necessary, such as specific precision platforming moments where timing is everything. The green shell gives our turtles the ability to boost forward either on the ground or in midair, allowing them the capability to cross chasms otherwise impassable. Finally, the red shell serves as a great means to attack enemies easily, especially those with spikes that can't be beaten any other way. It can also flip levers to transform the environment and move platforms, for instance.

The dashing green shell is but one of a trio of shells our turtle protagonists uncover in their island adventure.

All three shells are discovered in a Metroid-style fashion. Once they're available, new portions of the world open up for exploring, as well as the ability to venture into previously adventured areas to uncover new paths and collectables in old places. Each shell has an upgrade that can be found in the world, and these range from the blue shell's ground pound, to the green shell's dash ability allowing it to smash through specific weakened walls, to the red shell's aerial spin that allows it to glide as it descends. 

Outside of mandatory upgrades to acquire in Way of the Turtle's game world, there are also two types of collectables to attain: shards and lost gophers. The latter is more for 100% completion's sake, but the shards serve as a currency that can be returned to various shop locations around the map and exchanged for increased health. Four shards can be exchanged for a new heart to be added to both turtles' overall health. Other items in the shop help discover the locations and whereabouts of the shards and gophers, revealing an audible clue when either are nearby the player, as well as revealing on the map how many shards or gophers are left in a given area of map.

Don't cry, little gopher! You're soon to be safe and sound!

While we're on the subject of the map, Way of the Turtle's arguably impressive 2.5D environments to move and jump through are both a help and a hindrance. They help make the world more interesting to explore, but they definitely hinder the simple act of navigation. The map itself doesn't really show much of anything in-depth. It just shows what areas connect to what, but it's difficult to determine in 3D environments which exits lead to where on the 2D map. So many times I'd want to get to a location on the 2D map, but didn't know how to manage it from the area I was currently at in the 3D space. A better, more detailed map would go a long way to helping with this confusion.

Way of the Turtle is a game that continues to be released in parts, so it's difficult to review somewhat. I know that I spent a good 7-10 hours with what's currently available, but had I'd just joined in on the first part, which would have ended after opening the volcano gate, I would have been none too pleased, asking "that's it?!". As it stands, I'm chomping at the bit to see what happens after battling the game's current final boss inside the volcano, because as of now, what happens immediately after beating the boss is a quick "to be continued" followed by the credits. 

Part two of Way of the Turtle's story updated with this brand-new, enjoyable volcano area.

Currently, with what is available in Way of the Turtle feels like a complete title gameplay and length-wise, just with a sudden cliffhanger that left me wanting more. That's a good thing--the "left me wanting more" part, as it shows that I did enjoy my time with the game. Inconsistent touch controls, occasionally poor camera angles, and an unhelpful, undetailed map are issues with the game, but on the whole, Way of the Turtle gets from me a recommendation like a turtle's shell: a solid one!

[SPC Says: B-]