Games of the week – Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood, Disjunction, Populus Run and Destruction AllStars
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Destruction AllStars
Platform: PlayStation
Genre: Driving/Racing
Price: Free with PS Plus
Fortnite meets Destruction Derby
Fun and frenetic, Destruction AllStars is what happens when the colour and character of Fortnite smashes into car-wrecking games like Burnout or Destruction Derby. Players take part in 16-player battle royales, where the aim of the game is to wreck and eliminate the other players and be the last one standing, but with the added dynamic of being able to jump out of your car and into another mid-battle. Like Fortnite, the characters are colourful and loud – and even able to drop a celebratory emote. With a variety of match-up types, signature vehicles and powers, Destruction AllStars is simple, wacky fun.
Skip to the end: A perfect storm of animated carnage.
Score: 8/10
Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood
Platform: Xbox, PlayStation, PC
Genre: RPG / Action
Price: £44.99
Anger control
Stealth and hardcore button mashing battles are blended in Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood, in a way that is almost as clunky as the game’s title. While we did enjoy the graphics, characters and overall game play, it doesn’t quite make sense how one minute you are sneaking up on a limited number of guards, then suddenly a whole horde appear to take you on in your beast form. The man – or werewolf – vs big corp is just so overdone too. Having different strengths between human and werewolf form give the game some teeth, and we liked the need to balance your rage in order to fight at your best.
Skip to the end: Unbalanced action and unoriginal story let down better concepts like rage management and differing form strengths.
Score: 6/10
Disjunction
Platform: Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC
Genre: RPG
Price: £12.99
Sinister and stealthy
There is something sinister about the look and feel of Disjunction, with its eerie dark retro 2D visuals and dark music undertone, which makes the stealth element all the more tense. Lurking behind guards and avoiding cameras is nothing new, but there is something deeply satisfying in this instance – maybe it’s the limited ammo and energy you have to disable the baddies who stand in your way? The key is patience and pacing yourself – as tempting as it can be to go in guns blazing, it won’t work. Levels quickly become trickier. Though there are check points, decide wisely, because if you are low on resources it might not be worth it, as you’ll be revived on those same depleted numbers. Upgrades and talent bonuses at the end of each level allow you to improve the ability of your characters, giving a sense of progression. The only bit we didn’t like was the endless reading passages, but that’s fine, as the game play speaks for itself.
Skip to the end: Disjunction sets the right mood for a stealth game, building real tension as you sneak on guards.
Score: 8/10
Populus Run
Platform: iOS
Genre: Arcade
Price: £4.99 per month with Apple Arcade
Foodie fun
Populus Run rightly describes itself as an unconventional running game, where power is in numbers and food is your foe. The idea is to complete several goals as you dash through a trap-ridden route, which includes bouncing donuts and rolling macarons. You control a group of runners, and lose one every time you hit an obstacle – but the twist is that you’ll find new runners to join your group, if you’re quick enough to nab them. The varied goals include finishing with at least five runners left standing, acquiring all coins and catching a special character, all of which you need to progress, offering loads of replayability. It’s a diabetic concoction of adrenaline-filled action to test your reaction speed, sugary settings and cheery singing music.
Skip to the end: It’s hard not to smile as you play Populus Run, with its campy fun-filled vibes which play out nicely.
Score: 8/10
