We’ve inadvertently landed on sort of a wedding theme this week, bringing you something old and something new in the form of a classic PS2 era remaster and a shiny, modern adventure game, Tchia. We’ll get back to you with the rest of the expression when our mate finally gives us back our copy of The Smurfs 2. Anyway, here’s what we’re playing this week:
Joe – Editor
Tchia
- Playing on PS5 via PlayStation Plus Extra
It’s absolutely pissing it down as I write this; the world outside my window is just a big, grey smudge. So much for British Summer Time officially beginning this week. At this point, I might’ve considered investing in a SAD lamp, but luckily, the vibrant glow of Tchia’s open-world beaming from my TV screen is enough to put a smile on my face.
Inspired by their tropical homeland of New Caledonia, indie developer Awaceb’s sophomore game puts players in control of the titular character as she explores a fictional archipelago. As well as the usual open-world methods of traversal – including the much emulated Breath of the Wild style stamina gauge for climbing and gliding – Tchia possesses a unique magical ability called ‘soul jumping’ that allows her to assume control of animals and inanimate objects for a short period of time.
Soul jumping is particularly useful for solving some of Tchia’s puzzles. For example, possessing a lit torch and flinging yourself at a group of cloth-based creatures (literally creatures made of fabric; the antagonist’s henchmen) quickly dispatches them and sends the surrounding camp up in smoke. But the most fun I’ve had with Tchia is simply through exploring. The feeling of soul jumping a bird, for example, and then flying across a mountain range as the sun blushes on the horizon is one of unbridled joy. Similarly, the plethora of zen-like mini games on offer – such as rock balancing or playing the ukulele – feel much more compelling than Tchia’s (perfectly serviceable) narrative has so far.
Despite its meditative nature, Tchia can feel quite overwhelming to begin with. In the opening hour or so, new gameplay elements are introduced in quick succession – from ‘Soul Melodies’ (chords you play on the ukulele to change the in-game weather) to various stamina and spirit meters, which all gets a bit much. Thankfully, once the world starts to open up after the overlong tutorial, you’ll feel the stress leaving your body faster than you can soul-jump into a wild boar.
Now, pass me the ukulele: I need to do something about this weather.
Tom – Lead Writer
Devil May Cry HD Collection
- Playing on PS5 via backward compatibility
I was off work sick for a few days recently. It was just a bad cold but as I don’t get ill very often, I turn into a giant baby when it does happen. And much like a baby, I was yearning the warm comfort of something familiar. I settled on the Devil May Cry HD Collection, a series I loved as a young teen but haven’t kept up with for years.
For those not familiar, Devil May Cry is a hack and slash action game from 2001 set in a world of angels and demons, with cocky demon slayer Dante travelling to the mysterious Mallet Island to investigate a devilish scheme. The twist? He’s a half demon himself, and as such counts magical powers among an arsenal that also includes guns and a massive sword.
Of course, as with many games of the era, plot isn’t the main focus here. DMC is all about the gameplay experience, and that experience is fantastic. Dante handles like a dream, and I had no trouble speeding around and flipping through the air as I sliced, diced, and blew apart pesky demons at a silky 60fps. The graphics are of course somewhat dated, even in remastered form. But the environmental design of Mallet Island’s gothic castle and ruins is still as evocative as it once was.
I should warn you, though, that this game is pretty damn difficult. In fact, I have no idea how I beat it as a 12 year old. Devil May Cry does, somewhat humiliatingly, offer you an ‘Easy’ mode if you die too often in the early missions. But I’m proud to report that ate age 31 I beat the main campaign on normal difficulty, like a big boy. You can unlock progressively harder difficulty settings each time you beat the game (which only takes a breezy six hours), but I’ve personally never broken a controller in rage and I’m not looking to start now.
I’m so glad I picked up the Devil May Cry HD Collection on sale. For this dying invalid (translation: cold-haver), the first DMC was a bowl of warm chicken soup for the soul. I’m so excited to not only revisit the DMC games I already love, but also to experience the chapters I’ve never played before. I will, of course, continue to update you on my travels into hell itself.