Games of the week – The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets, Two Point Hospital, Hunt: Showdown and Loud House: Outta Control
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The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets
Platform: PSVR
Genre: Puzzle
Price: £8.99
Who let the dogs out?
Though aimed at the younger player, The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets has enough bark to appeal to just about everyone, as you set about finding lost animals on mini islands, guided by the voice of your character's grandfather. The puzzles on each island are fairly straightforward, as are the controls. This is a calm take on VR, with its uplifting, twee music and cute pets. What more could you ask for on a Sunday evening? The Curious Tale of the Stolen Pets is the perfect introduction to VR for children and charming enough for all the family to enjoy. The only real downside is that it's rather short.
Skip to the end: Easy-going VR charm that appeals to all the family.
Score: 8/10
Two Point Hospital
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Genre: Simulation
Price: £34.99
The doctor will see you now...
Do you have what it takes to turn a bunch of hospitals around? Two Point Hospital is a fresh take on the classic business management genre, tasking players with different objectives and challenges across 15 hospitals. From choosing how to arrange diagnostic facilities and wards, to managing staff and even unclogging toilets, your decisions impact the success of each hospital. If you want to attract the best doctors, you'd better make sure their office is kitted out; these are just some of the many considerations you will need to make in Two Point Hospital. There are a decent number of tips to guide you through the game without making it too easy. It also packs a pretty good sense of humour along the way as well.
Skip to the end: A satisfying number of challenges and objectives that one has come to expect for the business management genre.
Score: 8/10
Hunt: Showdown
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Genre: First person shooter / horror
Price: £34.99
Co-operative and competitive multiplaying at its finest
Prepare for nerve-shredding survival in Hunt: Showdown, which sees you co-operating with other players to tackle a gruesome bunch of bosses, while also trying to evade other groups. It's often tense in the main Bounty Hunt game mode, as you collect clues and encounter less critical enemies along the way. The only issue is, once you have found one of the three bosses and killed them, rival teams are informed where you are, creating another level of fear. Stealth is your best chance in Hunt: Showdown, so don't get too trigger-happy. While there's a perfect blend of co-operative and competitive elements in this multiplayer, there are only two maps – albeit quite large – as well as a limited number of bosses that we hope will expand over time.
Skip to the end: Scary, nerve-shredding and tense survival title needing more maps and baddies for the full fear factor.
Score: 7/10
Loud House: Outta Control
Platform: iOS
Genre: Strategy
Price: £4.99 per month with Apple Arcade
Light entertainment from the Loud House cartoon
While aimed at kids who watch Nickelodeon cartoon The Loud House, there is definitely enough strategy oomph to entice adults onto this game. The concept is simple yet addictive – guide familiar characters from the show to objects that appear, while making sure their pathway doesn't clash with other characters. Unlock items and new levels as you progress. It's a tried-and-tested format that works well for those 'filler' moments in life, but not really something you will be devoting an entire afternoon to.
Skip to the end: Simple strategic fun that's ideal for any train journey.
Score: 6/10
