RUNE TO IMPROVE... Remastered fave offers fresh adventures
A MAN sees a sign outside a house: ‘Talking Greyhound For Sale’
He rings the bell, the owner appears and tells him the dog can be viewed in the back garden. The man goes to the greyhound and asks: “Do you really talk?” “Oh yes,” the greyhound replies.
After recovering from the shock of hearing the dog talk, the man asks, “So, tell me your story.”
The greyhound looks up and says, “Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so they made me a spy — they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with world leaders because no one imagined that a dog would be eavesdropping.
“Eventually though, the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn’t getting any younger. I did some undercover security work at the airport for a few years, but recently I got married, had a few puppies, and I’ve made a bit of cash over the years, so now I’ve just retired.”
The man is amazed. He goes back into the house and asks the owner how much he wants.
“Ten quid,” the owner says. “But this greyhound is absolutely amazing!
Why on earth are you selling him so cheaply?”
“Because he’s a lying so-and-so.
He’s never been out of the garden!”
I WAS arguing with a girlfriend in a restaurant when my best mate came over, grabbed the garlic bread and coleslaw from our table and ran off.
I wish he would stop taking sides.
A CHAP I know got sacked from his job as a set designer.
At least he left without making a scene….
Platform: Switch, PC
Genre: Adventure
Age rating: 7
This is a brand new remastering of 2009’s Rune Factory 3 (released in 2011 in Europe). Like other Rune Factory games, this begins in a small town and then the raising of a farm – but the twist here is that the main character is half-monster.
As always, the joy is that you really can do what you like – focus on farming, fighting, or (steady on) wooing a bride.
This is a great game in the series and the remastered version provided a welcome excuse for a revisit. The translation has been improved and there are some new standalone adventures to unlock, as well as a ‘Hell’ difficulty level.
It is sad that you are still unable to wed one of the eligible bachelors of the village – considering the plot is a lot about accepting differences, so Micah should be able to settle down with the local brooding blacksmith if the player desires.
This would require a lot more tinkering in the mechanics than this remastering, but it would have been great.
Platform: PC, PS 4/5, Xbox One/X|S, Switch
Genre: Indie
Age rating: 16
Under The Waves is an emotionally charged adventure game, unfolding in the depths of a deep-sea open world.
You assume the role of Stan, a seasoned deep-sea diver grappling with the overwhelming grief of losing his daughter, leading him to seek solace in self-imposed isolation at the bottom of the North Sea.
As you immerse yourself in this captivating narrative, you’ll traverse the expansive seabed full of beautiful marine life, delving into caves and exploring wrecks.
Along the way, you’ll encounter challenges that require some problem-solving, urging you to gather materials and craft essential equipment to aid Stan on his poignant journey of self-discovery.
Under The Waves captivates players with its gripping storytelling, cinematic visuals, and enchanting soundtrack.
Stan’s trials offer a reflective experience of isolation and the anguish of grief.
Platform: PC, PS 4/5, Xbox, Switch
Genre: ARPG
Age rating: 7
Sea Of Stars is a gorgeous adventure RPG chronicling the journey of Zale and Valere, two ‘Children of the Solstice’ who combine the powers of the sun and the moon to fight evil monsters.
If this game gives you anything, it’s an overwhelming nostalgia kick. The soundtrack is stunning and from the title screen, you’re thrown back into weekends in front of cartoons playing classic adventure games on your handheld.
The combat is simple – a turn-based strategy system filled with physical attacks, magic abilities and huge combos.
The story is slow-starting, but stick with it and you’ll enjoy fun characters, hilarious dialogue and plot twists galore.