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Night Book – A Flickering Tale in the Shadows of FMV and COVID

Full Motion Video

Title: Night Book
Developer: Good Gate Media
Publisher: Wales Interactive
Released: July 27, 2021
Platforms Available: PlayStation 5 and 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Game , iOS, Android
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 5
Article Reading Time: 7 minutes

FMV’s Fringe Craft: Wales Interactive’s Cinematic Ventures

Wales Interactive has long specialized in producing FMV (full motion video) concepts, even though they have tried to break through with classic horror, mostly ending with average results. Their primary focus thus remains purely cinematic projects, where the player can intervene in the plot when the script offers the opportunity to do so, and replayability is directly proportional to the atmosphere of the first pass. That’s how it should ideally look if FMV’s work succeeds, which unfortunately isn’t exactly the case with a horror game called Night Book. Let’s elaborate more on that, though.

Night-Book-The-Night-Book-carries-an-ancient-curse — Night-Book : The Night Book carries an ancient curse

A Haunting Household: Unpacking Night Book’s Premise

The central character of this horror flick – Loralyn, who at the start of the game is preparing for a night shift as an online translator, lives with her rather distraught father in the next room of her house. From the beginning of the video, this gentleman appears to be a person full of mental problems. Even though the whole plot is not just based on him banging his head against the room wall, he becomes the central element of the entire plot. His pregnant daughter, Loralyn, whose husband works as a stockbroker on an island with a dark history, has no time to deal with the hints of a real threat from ancient civilizations. He only cares about a well-done job while translating his clients’ text. But what the devil, his two online calls on the evening in question set off a chain reaction of 22 possible endings. Whether you want to see them all or give up on the first pass, it’s up to you.

Night Book: Father has to stay locked - or-not.. — Night Book: Father has to stay locked – or-not..

A Web of Choices: Exploring Branching Paths

The developers weren’t so much trying to bring some variety, as there’s woefully little of that subject interaction. Still, they were primarily concerned with evoking the creepy atmosphere associated with the imminent risk of an obsessive father and a closed environment. Unfortunately, they failed to achieve that effect, even with one of the endings above to this film strip. I don’t mean to cast aspersions on the primary performances here, some of which were above standard and good by the standards of the concept (The Complex wasn’t wrong in that regard either). First and foremost, we have an entirely predictable plot, and its denouement is directly related to several clichés that would shame a first-year film student. The fact that all the action takes place on the desktop of the central character’s laptop doesn’t help a bit, as the script vehemently tries to explain all the illogical ideas rather than covering them up with anything scary.

Eerie Ambience, Empty Echoes: The Struggle for Atmosphere

Once you’ve made it to the finale for the first time, and the statistics of endings discovered and sequences viewed flash on the screen, you’ll feel that you haven’t made it one-third of the way through the (un)game. Logically, you’ll then proceed to retry, using new choices and decisions to try and see more and unlock something new. However, this is where another big problem arises from my perspective: the interface’s inability to skip a previously viewed scene and the poorly designed splitting of the images themselves. Therefore, anyone who wants to fill the extras to the brim and absorb the entire hour of recorded material from the first second to the last will find it a pile of tedium and repetition. The worst thing about the whole thing is that even if you gradually work your way through all the plot endings, you’ll always keep the vapidity that the entire point of this FMV production possesses. The only thing you’ll get out of it in the end is the statistics and the feeling that you’ve at least used your wasted money for something. The whole thing is blatantly mediocre and mind-numbing the second you try to discover more and see something new.

Reflections in Isolation: Night Book During the COVID Era

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ‘Night Book’ development adapted to unprecedented circumstances, shaping a game that encapsulates the challenges of that period without meeting in person. The unique production constraints and social distancing measures led to an inventive setup where the entire cast seemed to perform 100% remotely, mirroring the global isolation. This isolation seeps into the game’s atmosphere, making the player’s experience strangely resonant with the lockdown experience. In the game, Loralyn works as an online translator from the confines of her home, dealing with supernatural threats through her laptop screen. This setting reflects the limited physical space many of us were confined to and the mental and emotional boundaries imposed by the pandemic. By leveraging remote production techniques, the developers crafted a game that directly responds to the world’s sudden shift to online interaction and remote living. It’s a poignant reminder of when our homes became the center of work and personal life, challenging the boundaries between the two. In ‘Night Book,’ this blending of home and external threats enhances the horror elements, as the safety of one’s home is breached, not just by the supernatural, but by the intrusion of work and the outside world into personal space.

A Dim Light in FMV

While “Night Book” may not stand within the FMV genre, its production under the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic sheds light on the dedication and adaptability of its creators. Despite global lockdowns and social distancing, the game’s development highlights an impressive effort to maintain creative output when traditional production methods were disrupted. This context brings a new appreciation for the game, not just as a piece of interactive entertainment but as a document of the times.

Night Book: Father possessed by an unknown curse

Loralyn’s interactions, confined within the digital screens of her laptop, resonate with our recent lived experiences, where much of life was compressed into virtual spaces. The game cleverly uses this setup to amplify its horror elements, utilizing the claustrophobia of our realities to enhance the terror within. Additionally, the actors deliver commendable performances, bringing depth and realism to their roles. These performances and effective jump-scare moments enrich the gameplay experience beyond its narrative limitations.

Despite its flaws and a certain predictability in the plot, “Night Book is worth playing for an hour or two. It reflects not only on the supernatural but also on the intrusive nature of our new, more digital lives, blurring the lines between work, home, and otherworldly realms. The game, therefore, serves as a reminder of the era it was born into, offering both a reflection and an escape from the isolated environments many of us found ourselves in.

In evaluating “Night Book,” it’s clear that while it may not have reached the heights of some of its FMV peers, it captures a moment in time with authenticity and a genuine sense of unease. For those willing to overlook its shortcomings to taste its atmospheric and thematic strengths, “Night Roof” provides.

Where to Buy Night Book

Steam (PC, Mac): Available for $12.99. You can purchase the game directly from Steam
GOG (PC, Mac): The game is priced at $12.99. Purchase it from GOG
Epic Games Store (PC): Available for $12.99. You can buy it from the Epic Games Store
PlayStation Store (PS4): The game is priced at $12.99. Check it out on the PlayStation Store
Xbox Store (Xbox One): The game is available for $12.99. You can find it on the Xbox Store
Nintendo eShop (Switch): Available for $12.99. Purchase it from the Nintendo eShop
Apple App Store (iOS): Available for $6.99. Purchase it from the App Store
Google Play Store ( Android): Get the Night Book on your Android device from the Google Play Store

RoboCop: Rogue City – Upholding Justice in a Cybernetic Detroit

Petko

Robocop Rogue City Alex Murphy and Nancy Allen together again

Title: RoboCop: Rogue City
Developer: Teyon
Publisher: Nacon
Released: November 2, 2023
Platforms Available: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC Game
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 5
Article Reading Time: 10 minutes

Return of the Cybernetic Lawman

It’s been over twenty years since the last major video game set in the RoboCop universe. The cult film franchise from the late 1980s and early 1990s is still very popular with fans today. The creators at Teyon Studios decided it was time to bring armored police officer Alex Murphy, who appeared in the first film in 1987, back to life.

Expectations vs. Reality in Delta City

I admit that I didn’t expect complete miracles from RoboCop: Rogue City, even though I love the movie brand. I would get a B-movie action shooter to finish in an afternoon. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The developers at Teyon Studio have a pretty hilarious title under their belt, 2019’s Terminator: Resistance, which, while not a massive success among reviewers, was appreciated by gamers. However, the scratch on their reputation is Rambo: The Video Game, which raised more than a few eyebrows in 2014. However, with peace of mind, RoboCop: Rogue City is definitely not a similar tragedy.
On the contrary, if you focus only on the main storyline, expect roughly thirteen hours of game time, and that’s if you play on a higher difficulty. With the side content, you can quickly reach the twenty-hour mark.

Exploring the Urban Jungle: Side Quests and City Life

RoboCop: Rogue City offers many side quests, the quality of which is of a reasonably high standard. You’ll primarily help your colleagues, but you’ll also encounter, for example, rescuing a stray cat, handing out parking tickets, stepping on spray paint, or becoming a mentor to a police rookie who believes in naive ideals. I was amazed at the amount of content the game offers. I often encounter ballast that tries to artificially extend game time, but in the case of the new RoboCop, I was downright looking for the side content. Yes, I enjoyed it that much. RoboCop: Rogue City is plain and straightforward, far bigger and more elaborate than it may seem at first glance.

Arsenal of Justice: Combat and Weaponry

The original films are also very well known for their sometimes grotesque brutality. So RoboCop: Rogue City needs to catch up on that. If you’re a staunch opponent of violence, you’ll be shocked. Alex Murphy uses a diverse arsenal to wreak utter havoc. In addition to the iconic Auto-9 (Berreta 93R) handgun, you’ll also take on enemies with shotguns, submachine guns, assault rifles, grenade launchers, and sniper rifles. There are around twenty types of weapons in the game. The damage you do with them is considerable. Limbs fly through the air like they’re gonna fly. A hand here, a foot there. And you can increase the brutality even further with RPG elements. But more on that later.

The shooting itself is different from what shooters are used to. It goes hand-in-hand with the clumsy movement of RoboCop, so expect to avoid any frantic action. The accuracy of some of the weapons may need improvement at first. Still, it will noticeably improve as you upgrade your attributes.

A Symphony of Destruction: Environmental Interactions

Aside from the brutal shooting, I welcome the high level of environmental destructibility. You can use all sorts of items to eliminate bad guys. Throwing monitors, furniture, and even motorbikes is no problem. Often, this results in almost comical scenes that have fallen out of B-movie action flicks. Why is that? The filmmakers hit the nail on the head here.

Facing Off Against Detroit’s Finest Criminal Minds

The enemy variation is solid. Apart from the regular gang members, you’ll also have to take out bikers who circle around you on their machines, snipers, grenade launchers, or broken-down robots from the OCP corporation. The artificial intelligence of the enemies could be better. No army tactics are involved, but if you encounter multiple snipers, they’ll give you quite a run for your money, especially on the higher difficulty level, which I recommend choosing. There is no cover system in the game. You can only hide behind walls if necessary. I also appreciated the form of healing, during which you consume energy cells. After increasing one of the attributes, you can also replenish your health with the help of power cabinets.

Nostalgia Meets Novelty: Voice Acting and Visuals

If you remember and like Alex Murphy’s dry catchphrases, you’ll be in seventh heaven when playing RoboCop: Rogue City. The creators spouted one catchphrase after another, and I genuinely laughed many times. Add to that the fact that RoboCop is voiced by Peter Weller, the film’s cyborg actor, and you have a total fan service that is a joy to listen to. Thanks to the visor, the actor even agreed to use his face, which you won’t see too often. Still, when you do, you’re teleported to the planet Nostalgia.

Moral Dilemmas and RPG Dynamics

I’ve long wondered what genre to put RoboCop: Rogue City in. Sure, it’s a first-person shooter, but if I pigeonholed the game that way, I’d be doing it a disservice. In fact, RoboCop: Rogue City contains a lot of RPG elements, which surprised me very pleasantly. As you complete missions, you earn classic experience and skill points, which you can invest in improving Murphy’s attributes. There are eight in total: combat, armor, vitality, engineering, concentration, scanning, deduction, and psychology. Each attribute has ten levels, with clues with different abilities. Examples include the second level in the combat section, which, when activated, will allow you to deliver an electric shock that stuns enemies in the immediate vicinity. The tenth level of vitality, among other things, causes you to automatically replenish your health up to 75% of your capacity. The amount of abilities is sufficient for the needs of the game. You can dodge, increase your stamina briefly, slow down time, etc.

Aside from attributes, you also upgrade the iconic Auto-9 rifle, which is always at your disposal. This is done with chip motherboards that you find during gameplay. Exploration of the environment is duly rewarded thanks to this. Chips can be inserted into the baseplates, usually stored in hidden crates. You insert the chips thus obtained into the motherboard schematic and try to make their terminals connect correctly. If you choose the wrong piece, you may get negative stats in addition to the bonuses. You don’t want that, of course. The scheme offers increased stack capacity, improved accuracy, reload speed, increased damage, and better armor penetration. Each baseplate is different, allowing you to create your own character build. Plain simple but a hell of a lot of fun.

The icing on the cake is the dialogue and the consequences of your decisions. Don’t expect the depth of last year’s Baldur’s Gate 3, but it’s still a welcome change to the gameplay experience. Your choices have an impact, both on the characters in question and on the game world as a whole. You can, for example, side with the investigative reporter or send her away and listen to the corporate and insufferable Max Becker. According to available information, RoboCop: Rogue City will offer multiple possible endings. It is downright tempting to play it again. RoboCop: Rogue City, thanks to all of the above, I would place it in the genre of story-driven action RPGs, which the developers have really put a lot of effort into.

Final Analysis: A New Dawn for an Old Hero

At first glance, it’s clear that Teyon is a studio directly crammed with fans of old action movies. This is mirrored at practically every turn in RoboCop: Rogue City. The developers worked closely with Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer (MGM), the owner of the RoboCop copyright, to create the game, and the Peter above Weller, the original RoboCop actor, contributed significantly. There are plenty of little details to keep even the most die-hard fans happy during gameplay. You’ll meet many old friends, such as partner Anne Lewis, Sergeant Warren Reed, and the giant robot ED-209. In addition, many of the characters faithfully reflect the appearance of the original cast. This makes you feel like you’re in the original film. You’ll also get to see familiar locations that are rendered really faithfully. For example, you’ll spend time in the police station, the OCP offices, and mainly on the streets of crime-ridden Detroit. In this respect, I have to compliment the creators. You don’t see that kind of passion very often.

The movement of the leading actor remains faithful to the model. RoboCop is just as slow and clumsy as in the movies, which you may find a bit annoying initially. I got used to the snail’s pace almost immediately. Still, if you’re looking for “run and gun” action with slips and jumps, you won’t find it in RoboCop: Rogue City. There are also some awkward situations where you have to walk around a piece of elevated space to the stairs. Climbing up the obstacle is not possible.

The quieter and slower pace is also set by the style of investigation you’ll be doing at every turn. You use the scanner to uncover various clues and uncover intricate cases. It’s nothing we haven’t seen elsewhere, but the detective element here just feels natural. And how could it not, since you are a member of the police force. A map, which you can view anytime, helps you navigate the space. I used it quite a lot in the network of intricate alleys.

As far as the technical state of RoboCop: Rogue City is concerned, it’s all over the place. It’s not a disaster of giant proportions, but the game is a step or two away from ideal. RoboCop: Rogue City runs on the Unreal Engine 5, which has yet to be widespread. The visuals pleasantly surprised me, mainly because some scenes looked almost realistic. Unfortunately, the occasional glimpse of an unpleasant building or model in the distance felt like a fist in the eye. Still, it’s important to remember that studio Teyon needed to work with the kind of budget that the big players in the gaming industry operate with. The sound design and character dubbing are solid as well. As you play, you’ll hear well-known tunes from the original films, which illustrate the nostalgic atmosphere nicely. I played RoboCop: Rogue City on PlayStation 5 in performance mode at 60fps. The game held primarily steady except for the most massive shootouts.

I had a great time the entire time I spent with the new RoboCop in dystopian Detroit. I was surprised at how polished a game it is. At first glance, it’s apparent that it was created by fans of the original film, trying to please its fans. The writers are certainly not ashamed of the main storyline. Towards the end, the plot is relatively predictable but still good quality and does not disgrace the film’s premise. Add to that the multiple different endings, and I can’t complain. For me, RoboCop: Rogue City is one of the biggest game surprises from last year.

Where to Buy RoboCop: Rogue City

Steam (PC): Available for $49.99 (currently on sale for $29.99). You can purchase the game directly from Steam
Epic Games Store (PC): Priced at $49.99 (currently on sale for $29.99). Find more details and purchase the game here on Epic Games Store
PlayStation Store (PS5): The base game is available for $59.99. The Alex Murphy Edition, which includes additional content, is priced at $69.99. Check it out on the PlayStation Store
Xbox Store (Xbox Series X/S): The base game is available for $59.99. The Alex Murphy Edition, with extra content, is priced at $69.99. You can find it on the Xbox Store

She Sees Red: Quick Decisions, Lasting Impressions

Petko

Title: She Sees Red – Interactive Movie
Developer: Rhinotales
Publisher: Rhinotales
Released: July 11, 2019
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Game, Mac Game,
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4
Article Reading Time: 5 minutes

New Contender: Studio Rhinotales’ Debut

Studio Rhinotales was, until this time, unknown in the video game industry. Their game She Sees Red is their first venture in the form of an interactive thriller that takes place as a short film in which you, as the audience, have the opportunity to decide what the protagonist does immediately caught our attention, even in defiance of the growing competition in the field of this genre in recent years. Still, we will tell in our new review whether She Sees Red has really made its name alongside, for example, the now-famous Wales Interactive Entertainment. But let’s start from the beginning…

A Night at the Club: Dual Story Unfolds

You’ll find yourself in a nightclub where two storylines play out simultaneously. In one, you’re an unknown man in a baseball cap and hoodie. In the other, you’re a police investigator called in by the club owner to find out who killed one of his guards. During the scenes with the cloaked protagonist, two options pop up here and there, one of which you must click to move the story along. The trailer suggests you can get up to four different endings, accessible at all, as it takes half an hour to run through the entire plot. Story-wise, it’s a coherent affair, but you won’t get that at first, and as the credits roll, you’ll have far more questions than answers. You’re just about to get those from replaying and choosing options you didn’t choose before. By making it such a short affair, you won’t even have to wade through tons of tedium and grey. Some choices reveal interesting additional scenes that make you understand the story much better.

Decision Time: Interactive Elements and Pacing

You only have a few seconds to make your choices, which is a negative from the perspective of wanting to enjoy those parts as a movie and lean back or scratch a few potatoes. But then again, you won’t have to get up as many times throughout the plot, and a couple of times, it’s also clear that some decisions are coming, so you’ll have time to clean your hands.

Performance on a Budget: Acting and Audio

As for the acting, you can tell this is a low-budget project, but it’s nothing that isn’t watchable. It’s worse with the listening. The original version is only possible to listen to. It completely ruins the experience, as Rhinotales didn’t get any quality translators or proofreaders to edit the dialogue into a neat form. Fortunately, the subtitles are also in Czech, so no one will have a problem with the original Russian, and you might learn something else. The choreography of the fights and the transitions between plot lines are excellent. I can’t rate the detailed film aspects because I don’t understand them and wouldn’t want to pose as a film critic.

Final Take: Short but Sweet Thriller Experience

In conclusion, She Sees Red, the debut game from Studio Rhinotales, presents an intriguing interactive thriller experience with parallel storylines and multiple endings, all within a short half-hour playthrough. The game’s concise nature allows for quick replays to explore different choices and uncover additional scenes. However, the limited time for decision-making may detract from the enjoyment of the storytelling. While the acting and audio quality could be improved, the choreography of the fights and transitions between plot lines are commendable. Despite some language-related issues, She Sees Red offers a unique and engaging experience that differentiates it in the video game industry. It will be interesting to see how it compares to established titles in the interactive thriller genre in the upcoming reviews. But at this very point, we recommend it.

Where to Buy She Sees Red

Steam (PC, Mac): Available for $7.99. You can purchase the game directly from Steam
PlayStation Store (PS4): The game is priced at $9.99 . You can find it on the PlayStation Store
GOG (PC, Mac): She Sees Red is available on GOG. Check it out on GOG.com
Nintendo eShop (Switch): Available for $9.99. You can buy it from the Nintendo eShop
App Store (iOS): Available for $0.99. You can find it on the App Store

I Saw Black Clouds: A Haunting Interactive Thriller

Interactive Film

Petko

Title: I Saw Black Clouds
Developer: Ghost Dog Films
Publisher: Wales Interactive
Released: March 30, 2021
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC Game
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 5 (PS4 Version)
Article Reading Time: 4 minutes

The interactive feature film is not among the most numerous representatives of our game libraries. Yet, there are several groups here that are dedicated to this genre. We can undoubtedly count the producers, including the Wales Interactive producers. They have already released several such games. On Steam, you can find, for example, the highly rated sci-fi The Complex, the dating Five Dates, or the mysterious film The Bunker. This time, the company has joined forces with Ghost Dog Films, resulting in a thrilling horror experience in the interactive film I Saw Black Clouds.

This title immerses you, the player, into the shoes of Christine, who returns to her hometown following the unexpected demise of her friend. As you delve deeper into the mystery, you unearth a startling truth that triggers a series of supernatural occurrences. ‘I Saw Black Clouds’ offers a gripping psychological thriller with a unique branching storyline. Your decisions during crucial moral dilemmas will shape the narrative, ensuring each playthrough is a distinct experience. The film closely mirrors your actions, adjusting some of the main character’s traits based on your choices. Depending on your progress, Christine’s honesty, strength, morality, tact, and self-knowledge may evolve. However, other factors like relationships with minor characters or the main character’s acceptance of supernatural situations will also influence the plot.

The lead role in this captivating interactive film is portrayed by the talented Nicole O’Neill, known for her work in the series Penny Dreadful. Fans can also look forward to seeing Rachel Jackson (Outlander) and Larry Rew (Avatar) in this thrilling narrative. The film also offers unlockable features and a special streaming mode for an enhanced viewing experience.

Now, a short journey to the verdict
If you enjoy movies or series with a horror touch and a gloomy atmosphere, ‘I Saw Black Clouds’ is the title for you. However, if you have a discerning taste for movies, rest assured that the film’s qualities shine through despite its smaller budget. It’s a Bcc production, after all, and its reputation in the game is well-established.

Where to Buy I Saw Black Clouds

Steam (PC): Available for $12.99 (currently on sale for $2.51). You can purchase the game directly from Steam
PlayStation Store (PS4): The game is in discount for $8.45 and can be found on the PlayStation Store
Xbox Store: I Saw Black Clouds is available for $12.99. Check it out on the Xbox Store
Epic Games Store (PC): Available for $12.99 (currently on sale for $7.79). You can purchase it from the Epic Games Store

Red Wings: Aces of the Sky Review – A Fleeting Flight with the Red Baron

Petko

Red Wings: Aces of the Sky Front Article Picture — Red Wings: Aces of the Sky

Title: Red Wings: Aces of the Sky
Developer: All in! Games
Publisher: Untold Tales
Released: October 13, 2020
Platforms Available: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC Game
Platform Reviewed: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Article Reading Time: 5 minutes

Soaring Into the Skies: Meeting the Red Baron

Red Wings: Aces of the Sky stands out as an action aviation game, immersing you in the role of the legendary Red Baron. This aviator, renowned for his achievements, takes center stage in a game that combines elements of flight simulation, RPG, and arcade-like controls, all wrapped in a visually stunning package. At first glance, Red Wings: Aces of the Sky may appear to be a straightforward flight simulation with realistic combat. However, the game quickly dispels this notion, introducing RPG elements, arcade-like controls, and simple yet captivating graphics.

Core Mechanics: Guns and Grit in the Clouds

Your primary arsenal consists of machine guns, which can overheat, and four unique skills, each adding a layer of strategy and challenge to the gameplay. So you can rapidly turn 180 degrees once in a while, perform a barrel roll to avoid attacks, send your friendly troops at the enemy, or instantly take out a damaged plane with your ultimate abilities – that is, you pick up a machine gun and use your aircraft to salt it right into the targeted plane. Outside of these 4 skills and basic shooting, however, nothing else is added throughout the game. Instead, you’ll be given different planes for missions, which might last longer or have better machine guns. You can either go through the story mode alone, or you can bring along a local partner. The game then runs on a vertical split screen.

Mission Monotony: A Repetitive Flight Pattern

The missions themselves and their variety are, unfortunately, disappointing. Basically, 3 simple mission types alternate repeatedly, in a total of 25 levels that last about 5 minutes on average. The primary mission type asks you to eliminate enemy planes in the air and occasionally static airships that call for reinforcements until you destroy them. The second half of the game adds planes with extra shields, but that’s it in terms of variety. While playing, I fondly remembered the aerial level in Crash Bandicoot 3, but simplicity wasn’t an issue as it was 2 levels of the entire game. In the second mission type, you have an overhead view with the task of dropping bombs on enemy territory. Again, it’s a straightforward task you must complete in 2 minutes. No one stops you from doing this, so it’s just a matter of transporting from point A to point B. The third type of mission is the definition of an arcade. You are tasked with flying through a sequence of circles as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, there’s no sign of innovation here either – you fly the plane at more or less the same speed, collecting nothing along the way and just dryly flying through all the circles.

Aesthetics and Performance: Visuals on the Fly

The graphics and the game’s fluidity on the Nintendo Switch console are done to a tee. Red Wings has a simple but admirable style in the gameplay sections that don’t make the console a problem. The game runs absolutely smoothly, and I never get stuck. The missions are also interspersed with stylish comic strips that tell a simple story.

Final Ascent: Potential Unfulfilled

Red Wings: Aces of the Sky had me excited and entertained at first, but after an hour, it was the same old same old, and after two hours, I had finished the campaign. There are admittedly 2 campaigns, where in one, you play as an ally, and in the other, you play as an Axis power – but this is identical gameplay with different comics between levels. To add in conclusion, the game looks and runs nicely, and the base game is fun enough. Unfortunately, it doesn’t move anywhere during gameplay, so much wasted potential exists. If you are okay with a simple aerial shooter that entertains for a short while, you’ll definitely find something here.

Where to Buy Red Wings: Aces of the Sky

Steam (PC): Available for $19.99. You can purchase the game directly from Steam
PlayStation Store (PS4): The game is priced at $19.99. You can find it on the PlayStation Store
Xbox Store: Red Wings: Aces of the Sky is available for $19.99. Check it out on the Xbox Store
Nintendo eShop: The game is available for $19.99 on the Nintendo Switch. Purchase it from the Nintendo eShop

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