These days, video games are often high-octane, high-stress, adrenaline-fuelled experiences that demand your entire attention and thoughts. They’re complicated mechanically, graphically, and even mentally, requiring you to remember a series of arcane button presses and trigger actions just go be marginally competent.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is a much-needed break from the octane-filled experiences of modern AAA gaming. Instead, it’s a gorgeous and gentle experience, that lets you go about business at your own pace, helping others and generally just being in the world.

Yonder’s story is as simple as it come. It stars yourself as the hero of the world Gemea, whose land has been tainted by the Murk, mysterious purple stuff that is “bad.” With the help of useful sprites that you find, earn or free from various obstacles around the world, you can push back this Murk and make the world a little brighter.

So far this sounds standard, but the most interesting difference for Yonder, and the key characteristic that gives it its gentle, laconic tonic, is that there’s no combat. Furthermore, that means the game is free from everything that comes with combat. This makes the game a lot less stressful and means the skill system instead is focussed on jobs – farming, fishing, carpentry, mining or more. Or, in my case, cat collecting. Animal collecting is a delightful option in this game, and I can only wish other developers copy this idea in every single other game.

Exploring the world is still a big part of the game, though it’s not quite Stardew Valley level of town building. Yonder features eight different environments that look fairly distinct from one another. Throughout these environments you’ll be undertaking a wide variety of fetch quests that will get you moving around the open world levels searching for this or that. Speaking of, I did find it a bit hard to navigate around the world, held back mainly by a limited control system. Turning and running around feels a bit “tanky” and reminiscent of early PSOne titles. Characters seem to spin around on the spot and move in wide, unnatural arcs. Animations too can be a bit clunky but overall it only had a limited impact on my enjoyment of the game as a whole.

And graphically, Yonder looks fantastic, with a minimal, sparse look that works well on Nintendo’s hybrid console. It’s bright, with big bold colours that stands in contrast to most of the brown and dirty aesthetic many games still run with. It’s style matches the easygoing nature of the game, where you’re never forced into a stressful situation, either by complicated combat or by unnecessary timers. Quests too, aren’t stressful and are generally simple in nature, though sometimes with a quirky twist. The music is gentle, and rarely distracts or makes itself the centre of attention, but supports the lively world wonderfully.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles is a great game to chill out with a podcast or in front of your favourite TV show in handheld mode. Run around, grab some materials, help some people and explore the world. It’s the simple delights that make Yonder compelling, and if you’re in the mood for some light-hearted fun you can’t go past the endearing world Australian developer Prideful Sloth have created. While it’s not an endlessly-replayable experience, as other similar games are, the 10ish hours that you’ll spend in the world of Gemea will be some of the most relaxing you’ll spend in video games this year.

The post Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles (Switch) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles, the open-world adventure from the former Activision producer and Rocksteady veterans at Prideful Sloth in which players explore the vibrant but troubled island of Gemea, is available today on Nintendo Switch.

A Switch-exclusive photo mode will help you capture precious moments and share them with your friends.

As a young, customizable heroine or hero destined for greatness, your journey begins humbly enough as you set sail on the open waters. One surprise storm and shipwreck later you find yourself on the gorgeous island known as Gemea. Yet not all is right here, as a shadowy substance known as Murk has spread throughout the land. Determined to help rid the island of Murk and earn your keep, you must farm, craft, cook, brew, fish, and explore.

The only way to truly dispel Murk is to discover magical sprites hidden throughout the land. Assisting the townsfolk by working the land and providing food for them unveils the sprites’ locations. Once the Murk has been dispelled more of Gemea becomes accessible. Eight beautiful biomes from peaceful plains to frozen valleys with day, night, and weather cycles brim with secrets and even adorable animals to befriend.

Yonder’s pleasant world makes for a perfect portable adventure. Relax at the end of the day in Gemea as you let the troubles fade from your mind. A fully-featured Switch-exclusive photo mode helps you share those tender moments with friends.

“Despite that pesky Murk, Gemea is a land of warmth and tranquility,” said Cheryl Vance, co-founder and director at Prideful Sloth. “We want players to enjoy getting their hands dirty by living off the land from the comfort of their couch.”

Yonder is available digitally on the Nintendo eShop, and will be available via physical retail on June the 12th, 2018 in the United States and June 15th, 2018 in Europe and Australia.

The post Go for a Yonder on Switch appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The post Yonder – The Cloud Catcher (PlayStation 4) Review appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles, an open-world adventure across a beautiful island is in development by Prideful Sloth, a veteran team of former Rocksteady developers and an Activision producer, Yonder‘s journey will follow a youth shipwrecked on the vibrant shores of Gemea, an expansive locale with eight different environments. Each location will offer its own wildlife and ecosystem, ranging from sunny sandy beaches to rolling grassy plains and steep snow-capped mountains.

Despite its lush climates, the isle and its kind-hearted inhabitants are enshrouded by an evil fog slowly destroying paradise. By supporting residents through talents including fishing, farming, crafting, brewing, and cooking, adventurers will build relationships with the locals and earn help with their journey to restore Gemea.

As the stranded protagonist traverses the island and contributes to its communities through quests, they will uncover Gemea’s secrets and become its champion. The hero will work with citizens to save the land and its people, while also uncovering their own mysterious past.

“Yonder‘s gorgeous and immersive fantasy world will send players on an epic quest to revitalize a troubled land,” says Cheryl Vance, co-founder and lead designer, Prideful Sloth, “With an inviting atmosphere, a massive open-world to explore and a wealth of mystery, Yonder will provide countless hours of entertainment.”

Prideful Sloth is an Australian team comprised of seasoned developers who have worked on AAA franchises including Batman: Arkham, Elder Scrolls, DmC: Devil May Cry, Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Rome: Total War. The team seeks to utilize their aptitude for crafting rich, visually-stunning worlds packed with compelling content allowing players free agency in these worlds.

Everyone that works on StG is a volunteer. Keep StG Independent and (mostly) Advertising Free with a Donation

The post Open-World Adventure Yonder Announced for July 2017 appeared first on Shane the Gamer.