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Review: A Difficult Game About Driving (Driving Is Hard)

Developer – Elegant Horse Studios Publisher – Elegant Horse Studios Platforms –   PC (Reviewed) Review copy given by Distributor/Press Agency “Driving Is Hard,” formerly known as “A Difficult Game About Driving,” is a physics-based driving game that challenges players to navigate a bathtub on wheels through treacherous terrain. The game promises a mix of punishing gameplay and an emotional narrative, but its journey to release has been anything but smooth. From a last-minute name change to allegations of stolen assets, “Driving Is Hard” is a game that’s as controversial as it is challenging. Let’s dive into the details. One of the first things that stands out about “Driving Is Hard” is its peculiar last-minute name change. Originally titled “A Difficult Game About Driving,” the developers opted to rename it just before release. While the new title is more straightforward, it lacks the quirky charm of the original. So, why the change? After some digging, it seems the decision was likely made to avoid confusion with other similarly named games and to make the title more searchable. However, the abrupt switch feels jarring and raises questions about the developers’ confidence in their branding. It’s almost as if they were second-guessing themselves, much like the protagonist, Jeff, grapples with self-doubt throughout the game. At its core, “Driving Is Hard” is a game about perseverance. Players control Jeff, a man navigating his life—and a bathtub on wheels—through seven distinct worlds filled with steep inclines, slippery surfaces, and frustratingly precise physics. The controls are simple, but mastering them is anything but. Every mistake can send you tumbling back down, forcing you to retrace your steps and test your patience. This mechanic is reminiscent of games like “Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy,” and while it can be satisfying to finally conquer a difficult section, it’s also incredibly frustrating. The game’s difficulty is its defining feature, but it’s also its biggest barrier. While some players will relish the challenge, others may find the constant setbacks too punishing. The warning at the start of the game—”falling is part of the challenge”—isn’t kidding. If you’re not prepared to fail repeatedly, this might not be the game for you. Beyond the gameplay, “Driving Is Hard” attempts to tell a heartfelt story about Jeff’s journey of self-discovery. As players progress, they uncover Jeff’s struggles with his father’s expectations, his own self-doubt, and his quest for self-acceptance. The narrative is woven into the gameplay, with each world representing a different stage of Jeff’s emotional growth. It’s a touching concept, but the execution feels uneven. The story is often overshadowed by the sheer difficulty of the gameplay, making it hard to fully appreciate Jeff’s journey. To add some variety, the game includes a few customization options. Players can unlock different skins for their bathtub, which adds a bit of personal flair to the experience. There are also 21 collectible soaps hidden throughout the levels, offering a small incentive to explore. While these features are a nice touch, they don’t significantly enhance the overall experience. Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the allegations of stolen assets. It’s hard to ignore the similarities between “Driving Is Hard” and “Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy.” From the physics-based gameplay to the bathtub mechanic, the influence is undeniable. However, some players have pointed out that certain assets appear to be directly lifted from Foddy’s game. This has led to accusations of plagiarism and raised concerns about potential copyright claims. Given the recent takedown of “Only Up!” due to similar issues, it wouldn’t be surprising if “Driving Is Hard” faces the same fate. The gaming community has little tolerance for stolen assets, and the developers’ lack of transparency on this matter only fuels the controversy. Despite these issues, there’s potential here. The core gameplay is decent, and the story, while underdeveloped, has its moments. If the developers can address the controversy and refine the experience, “Driving Is Hard” could still find its audience. But as it stands, the game is a bumpy ride—both literally and figuratively. If you’re a fan of punishingly difficult games, “Driving Is Hard” might be worth a try, be it a challenging but flawed experience overshadowed by controversy. Just be prepared for a steep learning curve and the possibility that the game could be taken down at any moment. For everyone else, it’s probably best to wait and see how the situation unfolds. In the meantime, maybe give “Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy” a play—it’s the original and, arguably, the better version of this concept.

Halo Infinite is getting Assault and a new weapon

halo infinite fuel rod SPNKr

Halo Studios held its Community Livestream on Friday, January 31st giving us a preview of what is coming to Halo Infinite. Among everything shown, two additions stood out. Halo Infinite is getting a new weapon – Fuel Rod SPNKr. This new weapon combines the Rocket Launcher and the Fuel Rod cannon. The Fuel Rod SPNKr has been heavily modified by the Banished and fires Venezian-repackaged fuel rod munitions. The Fuel Rod SPNKr will obviously be a power weapon on maps in multiplayer. Players will also be able to create game types and spawn them in Forge for custom games. Assault Is Finally Coming To Halo Infinite It was long awaited but Assault is finally making its way to Halo Infinite. The iconic game mode has been a staple for the Halo franchise since Halo 2. It’s also the game mode that helped create Grifball. When Assault comes to Halo Infinite in the Spring Update, there will be Neutral Bomb and One Bomb variants. These modes will be available in 4v4 and Squad Battle 8v8 modes. Over three years later Halo Infinite is continuing to get more game modes it deserves to have. Source: Halo Waypoint

Review: Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap

Developer – Robot Entertainment Publisher – Robot Entertainment Platforms – PC (reviewed), Xbox Series X|S Review copy given by Developer In a world where magic is vital to survival, it’s coveted by beings who plan to use magic in nefarious ways. Various realms are being invaded by orcs and it’s up to you to stop them. Previous orc invasions have cost them their powerful and unifying leader, splitting orcs into factions. You must fight the leaders of these factions and ensure the realms don’t fall victim to the orcs. Thanks to the power of trap technology, stopping the orcs is a real possibility. Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap brings the fury of the orcs against calculated tower defense. A team of up to four players must set traps and stop the orcs from destroying a magical rift. By ensuring you set up barricades and traps in the proper way, you can stop most of the orcs from coming through. Any stragglers will be stopped by the heroes setting the traps, using a variety of unique abilities. Or the stragglers eventually turn into a horde, overpowering you and destroying the rift. Every player has access to a hero with unique advantages. Everyone’s traps will be the same allowing you to plan and coordinate different formations. The orcs will come from several directions with more entrances opening up as the waves go by. You must continue to prepare every wave as the hordes gradually grow in strength and number. While it is possible to play on your own, playing with friends helps you handle tougher waves. Every time you select a map, you choose a modifier that makes your game tougher. However, this is balanced by choosing a boon between enemy waves. The modifier and boons are different with every playthrough, providing some variety between games. What you choose depends on your short-term needs and what synergizes with your strategy. Both modifiers and boons carry over to new maps until the game ends, forcing you to be selective. Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap encourages coordination and teamwork, making it a great multiplayer game. Even if you are playing solo, you can practice trap formations or test new strategies. Everyone works with the same resources and map layouts, with players choosing what traps they will use. Fortunately, even the standard set of traps everyone starts with is useful for high-level play. This allows beginners to play along with veterans and contribute equally. Unfortunately, it’s not easy for beginners to dive into a game and start playing. Traps do not come with explanations forcing you to hope for the best. While you can view the explanations outside of combat, it’s not intuitive. There are also no sample demonstrations of traps, forcing you to guess and hope for the best. While learning is part of the fun and you will make mistakes, not having more tutorials hurts newer players. The gameplay also becomes repetitive after a while making it difficult to retain interest. While you do have goals like unlocking new traps and upgrades, it’s a long process to get them all. That also means slogging through countless waves with friends just to get what you want. You can progress through the story if you like but it’s tough without allies. If your friends can’t maintain interest, playing the game solo may be too much for some players. Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap is fun to play and gives you a good tower defense fix if you are looking for one. It’s great to play with friends though if you are new to the series, you must spend time learning how to play. Gameplay can also get repetitive if you play too frequently and there’s not much to aim for. This is a good game for people who love the series or want some good tower defense games. If you don’t fall into either category, this game won’t be a good fit.

TSM Joins Halo Championship Series As Latest Partnered Team

TSM Halo

On Friday, Halo Studios held a live stream showing what’s coming next for Halo Infinite and the Halo Championship Series. During the show we received news on what’s to come in the 2025 Season and what events HCS will be at. They also introduced a new partnered team. One of the biggest Esports organizations in the world has finally joined Halo. TSM will be making its debut in the Halo Esports scene and their roster has been revealed.  Below is the full TSM roster for HCS: CherishedFPS Druk_RN SoulSnipe_ Taulek Coach: TreyTri You can see the full announcement from TSM here.  With TSM being added that also means another team has backed out. Sentinels officially left the Halo Esports scene for the time being.  HCS Updates Along with the announcement of TSM joining Halo, we also received the full map and game mode rotation for HCS. In 2025 the best Halo Infinite players in the world will compete in Slayer, Capture The Flag, King of The Hill, Oddball, Strongholds, and Neutral Bomb.  Maps for the HCS 2025 season include Aquarius, Live Fire, Origin, Recharge, Forbidden, Fortress, Solitude, and Streets.  More information on the new season can be found here.   

All Games In Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Halo MCC games

Halo: The Master Chief Collection is over a decade old now and while it had a rough launch, Halo Studios managed to fix many of its bugs. The collection features some of the most iconic Halo titles in gaming overall since the franchise started in 2001. When Halo: MCC was first released in 2014 it only included five Halo games with Halo 2: Anniversary being the newest at the time. However, over the years Halo Studios brought Halo: Reach and Halo 3: ODST to the collection. What Games Are In Halo: MCC? Here is the full list of Games in Halo: The Master Chief Collection in chronological order. All games in this collection have their own multiplayer and single-player campaigns.. Halo: Reach Halo Combat Evolved & Halo Combat Evolved Anniversary Halo 2 & Halo 2 Anniversary Halo 3 Halo 3: ODST Halo 4 Halo 5 Is Not In Halo: MCC Although Master Chief is featured in the title, there are some Halo games not included in The Master Chief Collection. One of the most notable is Halo 5: Guardians, which was released the following year. It is unlikely that Halo 5 will ever be added to The Master Chief Collection due to its size and the history of consolidating all the games into this one collection. Halo Infinite is the latest title in the franchise that wouldn’t even be considered for this classic collection. That is due to its size and many other factors.  In our review, we scored Halo: The Master Chief Collection a 10 out of 10. 

PlayStation is reportedly planning a State of Play around Valentine’s Day

state of play february

It is that time of year when Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo will have their early-year showcases giving us an idea of what will come in the first half of 2025. Microsoft already held its Xbox Developer_Direct revealing release dates for South of Midnight, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Ninja Gaiden 4. Sony is now rumored to be planning a PlayStation State of Play for the second week of February. According to reliable gaming insider, Nate the Hate, PlayStation’s next State of Play livestream is going to happen either on Valentine’s Day or around that date. While responding to a fan on X, Nate responds by saying yes to a February State of Play happening then responds to a further question by saying “What does your heart tell you?” With that hint that points towards the day of Valentine’s Day or the week of February 10. With February 14 being a Friday it wouldn’t be a bad idea to host a show then. What Could We Expect? In the February State of Play, we’d expect to get a closer look at first-party games from PlayStation Studios such as Ghost of Yotei. There’s also a big chance we’ll see third-party games and possibly even Microsoft announcing more games coming to PS5. Rumors have suggested that Halo: The Master Chief Collection will be coming to PlayStation 5 this year.  Sony has not made anything official at this time. We should expect an announcement regarding a potential showcase soon. As usual, we should take reports like this with a grain of salt. However, Nate the Hate has been accurate as of late with leaking the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal date most recently.  In other news, Sony announced that after 2025, PS4 benefits will be removed from PlayStation Plus. What do you expect to be announced during the February State of Play? 

How To Unlock Hatsune Miku Car In Rocket League

Epic Games and Psyonix have released their latest collaboration for Rocket League. Hatsune Miku items have arrived in the Item Shop and will only be available for a few weeks. Items include Miku Dark and Pink Wheels, Miku Miku Trail, Leek Beam Boost, Miku’s Beam Wheels, Miku Pop Goal Explosion, and the Hatsune Miku Cyclone. How To Unlock Hatsune Miku Cyclone In Rocket League To unlock the Hatsune Miku Cyclone in Rocket League players will need to spend money. Using Rocket Bucks which are purchased with real money. The Cyclone Bundle costs a total of 1,500 Rocket Bucks which is roughly $14.99 USD. Unlocking these one-of-a-kind cars in Rocket League is the same process just like the Lightning McQueen collaboration over a year ago. Players will always need to spend Rocket Bucks to unlock them.     

Review: Hello Kitty Island Adventure

Developer – Sunblink Publisher – Sunblink Platforms –   PS4/5 , PC , Nintendo Switch (Reviewed) Review copy given by Publisher For years, gamers have debated which MMO reigns supreme, but let’s be honest—Butters knew what was up when it came to Hello Kitty Island Adventure, clearly being the champion. Forget World of Warcraft; if only those other South Park kids knew what they were missing. With a massive world, deep friendships, and more content than you’d expect from a game about Sanrio characters, this is the cozy adventure you didn’t know you needed, and it only took 18 years. At first glance, you might think Hello Kitty Island Adventure is just another cute and casual game designed for quick, lighthearted fun. However, don’t be deceived by its charming aesthetic—this game is packed with depth, exploration, and adventure. The island itself is massive, filled with a wide variety of biomes, hidden secrets, and engaging puzzles that challenge players to think creatively. Whether you find yourself swimming through vibrant coral reefs, soaring through the skies on a whimsical glider, or navigating the treacherous terrain of an active volcano, every region is crafted with care and brimming with surprises. The sheer amount of content is staggering, offering over 80 hours of quests, activities, and interactions to discover. Complementing the immersive experience is a rich, original soundtrack featuring more than 50 beautifully composed tracks that set the mood for every area and adventure. One of the standout features of Hello Kitty Island Adventure is its strong emphasis on social interactions and relationship-building. Players can form friendships with over 40 beloved Sanrio characters, including the ever-iconic Hello Kitty, the adventurous Badtz-Maru, and the mischievous Kuromi. Each character comes with their own unique personality, set of interests, and special quests that encourage players to engage in various activities such as crafting, cooking, and gifting. Building relationships with these characters isn’t just a fun side activity—it unlocks new adventures, exclusive items, and even story elements that deepen the game’s world. If you have ever dreamed of designing the ultimate island getaway, you’re in luck. The game allows players to renovate, decorate, and personalize cabins to attract more characters, expanding the world even further and adding an extra layer of creativity to the gameplay. Character customization is another aspect where Hello Kitty Island Adventure truly shines. Unlike many other games in the cozy genre, this title offers a surprisingly robust avatar creation system. Players can choose from a variety of species, body types, skin tones, and outfits, allowing for a high degree of personalization. Seasonal events and real-time weather changes further enhance the feeling of an ever-evolving world, ensuring there is always something new to look forward to. Beyond the main quests, the game offers countless ways to spend your time—whether it’s tending to a lush garden, collecting rare critters scattered across the island, or solving cleverly hidden puzzles, there’s always a relaxing yet rewarding activity to engage in. Multiplayer functionality elevates the experience even further, making Hello Kitty Island Adventure a delight to play with friends. The game fully embraces a cooperative spirit, allowing players to team up with real-world friends to explore the island together, complete social quests, and trade rare items. The ability to interact in a shared world adds another dimension of fun, making it feel almost like a massively multiplayer online game—but instead of grinding for gear and battling enemies, you’ll be throwing surprise parties, sharing resources, and embarking on charming group activities. The cooperative aspect makes everything from exploration to crafting more enjoyable and interactive, reinforcing the game’s core theme of friendship and community. For fans of life simulation and cozy gaming experiences, Hello Kitty Island Adventure shares many similarities with Animal Crossing. Both games emphasize relaxation, open-ended exploration, and deep social connections with charming characters. Much like in Animal Crossing, players can develop bonds with island residents, engage in day-to-day activities like fishing and bug-catching, and personalize their surroundings to their heart’s content. The game’s dynamic events, seasonal updates, and steady stream of new activities ensure that the experience remains fresh and engaging over time. While Hello Kitty Island Adventure brings its own unique flavor to the genre with its Sanrio-inspired world and storytelling, its core gameplay mechanics and inviting atmosphere make it a fantastic alternative for fans of Animal Crossing looking for a new but familiar experience. Despite all of its strengths, Hello Kitty Island Adventure is not without its flaws. The game’s pacing can feel slow, particularly in the early stages when progression is tied to waiting for crafting timers or unlocking character interactions. While the variety of activities is impressive, some tasks, such as fetch quests, can become repetitive over time, requiring players to trek back and forth across the island multiple times. Additionally, while multiplayer is a fantastic addition, there is room for improvement in terms of interactive features—more co-op-specific activities beyond trading and questing could further enhance the social experience. Furthermore, while the game offers an extensive selection of customization options, some players might crave even greater depth when it comes to home-building mechanics and overall island design. If World of Warcraft is the undisputed ruler of MMOs like many argue, then Hello Kitty Island Adventure is the charming and benevolent leader of a kingdom built on friendship, exploration, and creativity. This game is more than just an adorable Sanrio-themed adventure—it’s an experience filled with depth, surprises, and meaningful connections. While it may not be perfect due to some pacing and repetitive task issues, its charm and warmth make it an unforgettable journey. If you’ve ever wanted a game where the main objective is to spread happiness and foster friendships, look no further. And if you’re still chuckling at the South Park joke about Hello Kitty Island Adventure, just wait until you find yourself completely immersed, losing hours to its irresistibly cozy charm.