Tag: xbox game pass

Reviews

Lil Gator Game Review: A Cozy Game To Heal My Childhood Self

Cozy Bear2 Comments

Here’s another extra cozy game included with Xbox GamePass!

If there was an official “Wholesome Tier List”, I’m convinced Lil Gator Game would be at the top, and it would take a lot to move it from that top spot.

Lil Gator Game follows a little alligator who explores, what I believe to be, a national park or campgrounds with his older sister. He spends all of his time trying to motivate her to play with him like they used to (before she grew up and became a gator teenager!)

While he fails time and time again to get her to put down her studies, he still finds a way to enjoy the park. The story continues as the little alligator and his childhood friends design their own adventure game, complete with quests and attractions to entertain himself and other kids at the park. He makes use of cardboard from trashcans, and with paint, lines the trails with monsters.

NPCs are whimsical and friendly, and quickly you’ll find yourself yearning for simpler times – when all you had to worry about was imaginary monsters and restoring the splash pad! As you make new friends and help the various visitors at the campgrounds, you pick up new items including a water gun, funny hats and a rafter for speed down rivers!

Just because Lil Gator Game is a simple and cute game, doesn’t mean there isn’t good writing to enjoy. There are some memorable NPCs that I will surely remember for years to come. In one quest, with a group of “cool kids”, our little gator teaches us that the coolest thing of all is to support one another, stand up for ourselves and….be kind. Isn’t that so true?

This game took me back to my childhood, wandering around with friends, in the town I grew up in. Back then we had nothing to worry about besides where our next adventure would take place. I’d like to think there’s still that kid inside me, even today.

Maybe that’s why we love video games so much. Perhaps it helps us connect to that adventurous, imaginative child inside us.

Reviews

First Impressions: Lightyear Frontier

Cozy Bear2 Comments

Happy Friday, Cozy Friends!

Here’s another cozy game FREE with Xbox/PC Game Pass! It’s actually quite a new game too, released just last month!

(I realized in my last post I did not mention that Xbox Game Pass has both a PC version, as well as a console version, and I do think, a combined version as well.) In a nutshell, if you don’t have a console, you can still take advantage of it!

Lately I’ve been exploring what games are offered through Xbox/PC Game Pass and it’s honestly been a lot more miss than hit. This may not be the case for you though, as everyone has completely different tastes when it comes to games!

In the last couple of weeks I’ve tried a handful of different titles including Farworld Pioneers, Astroneer, While the Iron’s Hot, Spirittea, Open Roads, and Coral Island, and while Coral Island was actually great, sometimes it’s just not the right time for a game. Do you know what I mean? Also, sometimes I try a game that, in many ways, I *should* enjoy, but I just end up…not. Does this ever happen to you too? It’s such a peculiar feeling. Like an itch you just can’t seem to scratch. Like a kind of restlessness that’s only applied to video games. (Am I describing some kind of *panics* gaming addiction…oh God I hope not…)

Okay but then FINALLY! there it was – the game that clicked. It took a while, but I found it!

Lightyear Frontier offers a unique spin on the farming sim genre. It has much of what we expect and enjoy from a farming sim. What makes this title stand out is how much exploration (of an abandoned alien planet) is the heart of the game. While farming and homestead development is a major part of the game, and necessary for progression, you will spend much more time exploring the planet, restoring the surrounding regions, and scouting for resources.

First Impressions:

  • While the game runs very smoothly and what is there feels very well done, it is also obvious that the title is still in it’s Early Access stage. While it is a farming sim, it is very small scale farming. In fact, there are only 4 crops thus far. Additionally, there aren’t many crafting recipes available yet either.
  • I think the idea of traversing a large alien planet via mech is a very cool concept. Later, when you’re able to craft a landing pad for a merchant, you’ll be able to customize your mech’s parts. Although the different styles come at different costs, it is not clear if those upgrades have any specific traits or stats that enhance your mech. Considering it is an advanced machine, it would make the most sense for these upgrades to offer more than a simple cosmetic change. But there’s no indication of this, as far as I’ve seen.
  • The map is quite huge! I often return to a biome, and while wandering around, discover I haven’t seen this part of the map yet. It’s a huge open world with lots of areas to explore.
  • There is clearly some lore to be uncovered, and I really do hope this part of the game will be greatly expanded on. As you explore the planet, data is processed, and little bits of lore is cataloged about the planet. Slowly you’re able to learn more about these abandoned locations on the map. I really hope to learn more about what happened here!
  • This game sprinkles just a tiny bit of eco-awareness. While exploring, you’ll run across different biomes that are polluted and you’re tasked with clearing that pollution with your mech. You’ll see how restoring these areas allows wild crops to regrow, as well as wildlife to re-inhabit the area.

Overall, Lightyear Frontier is a very slow-paced game. It was definitely designed to be enjoyed at your own pace, with as little sense of urgency as possible. Games like this can really be fantastic for those days you just want to relax and unwind. If cozy is what you’re after, this definitely hits the mark.

Over and out,

Cozy Bear

Reviews

SteamWorld Build Review: A Cute, Charming & Relaxing City BuilderšŸ¤–

Cozy Bear4 Comments

I love city builders. I’ve played so many of them. My favorites include Timberborn and The Immortal Mayor, which are both very unique titles in the genre. The thing about city builders is there really are so many of them. Many of which are quite the same. Because of this I’m always on the lookout for something different, and that’s why I was so excited to see SteamWorld Build on Xbox Game Pass!

What makes SteamWorld Build stand out is the story element, and also their different maps. SteamWorld Build is a western-themed city builder with a steampunk twist. In this game you’ll help a colony of robots dig underground for relics of the past. With help from a curious stranger you’ll discover answers to the mysteries of this barren land.

Pros:

  • It is by far one of the most relaxing city builders I’ve seen, while still being very engaging! I think what really makes SteamWorld Build unique is it is engaging, but it is still relaxing, especially with how forgiving the game really is. Other more intense city builders, such as Banished, require a lot more strategy, with a much less forgiving learning curve – within a matter of minutes everyone in your colony can die from starvation if you don’t design your city perfectly. This won’t happen in SteamWorld Build! Progression is much slower, and you don’t have to worry about the game ending at any moments due to colony-wide starvation.
  • It’s not JUST a city builder. Under your city there’s several levels of mines to explore. This is by far what makes this game so fun. Watch as your robots dig dig dig in search of relics, scraps and gold. While this does require some strategy, it’s very light and straight forward. The game guides you through everything.
  • The story cut scenes are charming, and adds a lot of flavor to the genre. Stylistically, it reminds me a lot of Fallout. I’ve never seen a city builder or colony sim that utilized this kind of storytelling. Although the story is simple, it’s cute and engaging enough to motivate you to keep playing to see what happens next.

Cons:

  • While the decorations are plenty, they don’t seem to add any kind of function to the game. Because of this, I spent little time looking at that, or caring much about it.
  • The final trek of the story line really falls flat. In the last level, there isn’t much to do but let the game play on max speed and wait for your scientists to produce lots and lots of rocket fuel.
  • The maps are small. I think the purpose of this might be to challenge the player in designing an optimal colony with little space.

Overall, if you enjoy city builders, base building, or colony sims, I highly recommend giving it a try! It’s unique and refreshing spin on the genre.

Links:

FREE with Xbox Game Pass

$24.99 on Steam